Transforming the Culture of Violence, as Sikhs
Disclaimer for non-Sikhs: In writing this, I am not in any way saying Sikhs are somehow more predisposed to violence than any other community. The last thing I want to do is perpetuate racist stereotypes about Sikhs. However, I write because I see an opportunity for introspection in our community. If you choose to continue reading, I encourage you to think about how similar dynamics may play out in your community/ies.
I am still having a hard time wrapping my head around what happened in Newtown, CT last week, especially given the kind of year it has been here in the United States, from Aurora, CO to Oak Creek, WI.
For now, I want to pick up the conversation where Nina left off. Indeed, heartbreak is the right word for how I’m feeling about the deaths of children and adults due to gun violence, including those that don’t make the national news headlines, whether they are youth of color shot by police officers or families in Afghanistan bombed by the U.S. military.
Today, the depth and pervasiveness of violence in American culture is more clear than ever. The evening of the tragedy in Newtown, Michael Moore who made the Oscar-winning film about school shootings in 2002, Bowling for Columbine, stated:
I like to say that I sort of agree with the NRA when they say, ‘Guns don’t kill people, people kill people,’ except I would just modify that a bit and say, ‘Guns don’t kill people, Americans kill people,’ because that’s what we do. We invade countries. We send drones in to kill civilians. We’ve got five wars going on right now where our soldiers are killing people–I mean, five that we know of. We are on the short list of illustrious countries who have the death penalty. We believe it’s OK to kill you when you’ve committed a crime.
18 Responses to “Transforming the Culture of Violence, as Sikhs”
Its easy to sit in your ivory tower and deconstruct the traditions and pillars of what it is to be a Khalsa. Sant Sipahi is vital to the make up of a member of the khalsa. Guru Gobind singh ji Maharaj, upon leaving his wife in delhi on his way to the south, asked his wife why she was so upset. She replied that she wont see him, maharaj pulled his tulwar out and gave it to her.Maharaj told her that whenever she needed him to look upon his shaster to find maharaj within. That wtands for anyone today too. Who are you to question or apply a flawed logic in front of the 10th master? These are his Hukam. None here can say otherwise
LangarKhanna, that is exactly what Brooklynwala's point is, that more and more often, the Sant part is being subdued in front of the Sipahi part. GGSJ embodied both Miri and Piri and laid equal emphasis on being both saint and soldier.
Questioning at a personal level by asking "who are you to question" or alleging flaw in logic without specifying the points that you are objecting to does not help the discussion. And if not to discuss, why would we come to this forum at all?
You seem to assume that Sikh culture is somehow removed from the broader culture of North America. Where do you think "gangs" in Vancouver or the Bay area are getting their ideas from? Does that come from Sikh or Panjabi culture? How is Sikh culture in North America essentially different from North American culture?
i don't at all see "sikh culture" in north america as removed from north american culture, not sure how you got that. cultures don't exist in vacuums. that being said, many of the issues i'm trying to grapple with here are much broader than north american sikh issues. would you disagree? do you think violence in the sikh community exists largely because of a north american culture of violence? or are there sikh dynamics we see again and again around the world (one example i mentioned was the fights at melas in the UK.)
Show me the gangs that are primarily composed of Hindu Punjabis? That cause panga in mandirs, rather than the ones who have caused panga in gurdwaras.
Brooklynwala,
you do exactly opposite of what you intend to do like comparing apples to oranges. you could start by talking about mass shootings and then you switch the topic to some violent.incidens that don't involve mass shootings, how is this comparison ogical?
apples and oranges are both fruit for a reason. there are similarities. i'm trying to understand more normalized, every day versions of violence that help to create and maintain a culture of violence in which mass shootings can occur. and in particular look at these dynamics within our sikh community.
What do sikhs think of rape,not a single person on this blog has commentated about the recent gang rape in new delhi,or violence against women in punjab or even in sikh community.The self righteous and sanctimonious bloggers feel good about talking violence in n.american continent & then linking it to sikhs.
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An interesting, different and rather brave article. Good job Brooklynwala, don't be put off by those whose immediate reaction is to shout at you. Self-criticism (both of yourself and your own community/group) is a very important part of being a well-balanced and rounded human being.
What a brilliant and much needed article. There is deep machismo and shallow courage in segments of the Sikh community. To put my view in context, I was taught out of necessity at a very young age never to back down from a fight. Some of my earliest memories are watching my father chase and confront name callers in Canada for years after he first arrived. In those days guns violence was not common. I followed his lead on the school ground and street resulting in many physical fights. I didn’t go looking for fights and in addition to fights, in adult life, ended up having conversations with perpetrators who were thrown off by calm fearless confrontation. Occasionally, I’ve ending the conversation by putting one arm around an uncomfortable stranger. In everyday life my father never displayed the “punjabi courage strut”, but would be mistaken for a pacifist.
In personal dealings with another person who has fought and sacrificed for the panth, that person is chardi kala, but does not have even the slightest ounce of machismo typical of punjabi men. That person has no fear, lives a personal duty to quietly give to humanity, but has been imprisoned and persecuted for the better part of his life as a political “threat”. His lives the poetry of the gurus in his courage.
Brooklynwala has put a question out there gracefully to lift us up as a community. He displays a greater courage than I who will say shame on large segments of the Sikh community for being lost on the concept of the courage of a saint soldier.
there is absolutely a connection here. violence of any kind fosters more violence and it is our duty as a qaum to reflect on the violence that exists within our own minds, within our community itself and outside of our community. that is the nature of anything systemic – it spreads like wildfire. great piece, thanks for starting the discussion @brooklynwala
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