Rupinder Mohan Singh |

The bullying-hate crime link and the role of schools

September 17, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

“When we think of how we might prevent the tragedy that occurred at the Sikh gurudwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, we must look to the harassment endured by Sikh-American children in schools,” said Assistant Attorney General, Thomas E Perez, at a bullying prevention conference in California. He was referring to the August 5 attack on a Wisconsin gurudwara in which six Sikh worshippers were killed. “Here in the Bay area, according to a 2010 survey, three quarters of Sikh-American boys […]

Categories: Hate Crimes, Reflections, Reports/Studies • Tags: Bay Area Civil Rights Report 2010, bullying, California, Education, hate crimes, SB1540, Sikh Coalition, Texas, Thomas Perez

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Picture of the Day: Lt. Brian Murphy makes first public appearance

September 17, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Oak Creek, WI police officer Lt. Brian Murphy, who was shot multiple times during the shooting rampage on the Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin last month, made his first public appearance this past Sunday at a fundraiser for the victims of the attack: The event benefits the victims of the shooting. Lt. Murphy offered a thank you. But had to whisper, because he was shot in the throat. “I just wanted to let everyone know how appreciative I am, my […]

Categories: Picture of the Day • Tags: hate crimes, Lt. Brian Murphy, Oak Creek, Punjab Singh, Wisconsin

CA Sikhs to celebrate 100 years in America on Sept. 22

September 14, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Located in Stockton, California, the oldest Gurdwara (Sikh house of worship) in the United States is celebrating its centenary this year. Events to commemorate the century-long establishment of Sikhs in this country begin next week with a conference in Stockton. From The Langar Hall: Beginning next weekend (Sept 22, 2012) on the campus of University of the Pacific (UOP), there will be a conference entitled “100 Years of Sikhs in the USA (A Western Perspective).” Dr. Bruce La Brack, a […]

Categories: Events • Tags: California, Sikh diaspora, Stockton, Stockton Gurdwara Centennial Celebration

Is a “man in a turban” unpatriotic?

September 13, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Satinder Singh Malhi, a member of the staff of California State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, talks about his experience growing up as a turban-wearing Sikh and how ignorance continues to impact him even today (via @sepiamutiny): After he appeared on DeSaulnier’s behalf at a Memorial Day ceremony this year, an angry mother of an Iraq War veteran emailed the senator, denouncing Malhi’s presence. She wrote that a man in a turban “is a poor choice to represent you” at a patriotic event. […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Hate Crimes, Profiles • Tags: AB1964, California, California State Senate, Mark DeSaulnier, Oak Creek, Satinder Singh Malhi, Wisconsin, Workplace Religious Freedom Act

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U.S. Senate to hold hearing on hate crimes next week

September 13, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Next Wednesday, the Unites States Senate Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing on hate crimes in Washington, D.C. The meeting will be chaired by US Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, who has a history of supporting the civil rights of religious minorities in this country. The hearing will bring to the national stage a discussion about domestic hate groups in this country. From the Sikh Coalition: (New York, New York) September 12, 2012 – In the wake of […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Events, Politics • Tags: Dick Durbin, Hate Crimes & the Threat of Domestic Extremism, hearing, Oak Creek, Sikh Coalition, United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution Civil Rights and Human Rights, Wisconsin

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Film “Suburban Turban” to tell story of finding identity in America

September 12, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Suburban Turban is a film project currently in pre-production. The story is set in New York and follows a young Sikh man from Queens who searches for a balance between his Sikh and American identities. Filmmaker Arun Vir was gracious enough to describe the project and tell us more about her background and the movie. What is Suburban Turban about? Where did you get the idea for this film? AV: Suburban Turban is a coming of age musical drama about […]

Categories: Profiles, TV/Movies • Tags: Arun Vir, Suburban Turban

Meet and dine with American Turban at the Sikh Coalition’s 5K fundraiser

September 12, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Have you ever wondered: “Who is American Turban?” On Saturday, September 22, the Sikh Coalition is holding their “5K for the 5Ks” run/walk fundraising event, and I have just confirmed my attendance to support the great work by the Sikh Coalition in Sikh American civil rights. This is your chance to meet me! Even better, I will treat the individual who donates the most to dinner in the Bay Area! To qualify, donate to my 5K for the 5Ks page […]

Categories: American Turban, Civil Rights, Events • Tags: 5K for the 5Ks, California, San Francisco Bay Area, Sikh Coalition

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Editorial cartoonist Vishavjit Singh tells his story

September 11, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Editorial cartoonist Vishavjit Singh (of Sikhtoons) writes about his experiences as a turban-wearing Sikh in America, and the events that led him to take up creating cartoons: A real-life video game of targeting men with turbans and beards spread across the nation. Like every other Sikh man, my goal was to live my life without falling victim to ignorance. But that was a near impossible task. As flags went up on homes, cars and businesses in patriotic fervor, so did […]

Categories: Art, Profiles, Reflections • Tags: Post-9/11, Salon.com, Sikhtoons, Vishavjit Singh

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Picture of the Day: A new day for California’s Sikhs

September 11, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

At a rally at the California State Capitol on Saturday, Governor Jerry Brown signed two bills that would help combat discrimination particularly faced by Sikhs: the California Workplace Religious Freedom Act (AB1964) and the History-Social Science Framework (SB1540). Joined by Assembly Member Mariko Yamada, who introduced AB1964, and Dr. Onkar Bindra, who championed SB1540, the Governor ushered in a new day for Sikh Californians, and set a precedent for such legislation across the country. Both laws take effect on January […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Picture of the Day, Politics • Tags: AB1964, California, Dr. Onkar Bindra, History-Social Science Framework, Jerry Brown, Mariko Yamada, Sacramento, SB1540, Sikh Coalition, Simran Kaur, Workplace Religious Freedom Act

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Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Author Archives: Rupinder Mohan Singh

The bullying-hate crime link and the role of schools

Picture of the Day: Lt. Brian Murphy makes first public appearance

CA Sikhs to celebrate 100 years in America on Sept. 22

Is a “man in a turban” unpatriotic?

U.S. Senate to hold hearing on hate crimes next week

Film “Suburban Turban” to tell story of finding identity in America

Meet and dine with American Turban at the Sikh Coalition’s 5K fundraiser

Editorial cartoonist Vishavjit Singh tells his story