Civil Rights | | Page 17

Ishwar Singh discusses his prayer for the Republican National Convention

August 29, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In advance of his historic Invocation of the Republican National Convention tonight, Ishwar Singh, talks about his motivation: I hope that my presence Wednesday on the national stage will play a small part in helping Sikhs – and people of all races, faiths and orientations – be seen as part of the great American family. We Sikhs draw strength from the nonpartisan support we have received in response to the terrible tragedy in Oak Creek. …After Wednesday, I hope that […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Events, Politics • Tags: Ishwar Singh, Republican National Convention

Take a tour of South Asian American history in Berkeley, CA

August 28, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The Berkeley South Asian Radical History Tour is a walking visit to South Asian historical sites in Berkeley, California: Discover 100 years of radical South Asian American history in the streets of Berkeley, California! South Asians have been living in California since at least 1857, but their stories are still little known. Join community historians Anirvan Chatterjee and Barnali Ghosh as South Asian American history comes to life on an engaging 2-mile walking tour. You’ll visit original sites, hear stories, and come […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Events • Tags: Anirvan Chatterjee, Barnali Ghosh, Berkeley, Berkeley South Asian Radical History Tour, California

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Just how many Sikhs are in the United States, anyway?

August 23, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Enumerating the number of Sikhs in America has been one of the more vexing issues for the Sikh American community. Because the US Census survey does not ask questions around religious affiliation, we have seen a wide range in estimates, as summarized by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: For example, the 2012 Statistical Abstract of the United States cites an estimate of about 78,000 Sikh adults in 2008, based on the American Religious Identification Survey. The World […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Reports/Studies • Tags: Pew Forum, Pew Research Center, Sikh American census, US Census

Reader: Education is pivotal to combat prejudice and discrimination

August 22, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Navjot Kaur, educator and author (who has been featured on this blog before), responds to yesterday’s post “The Oak Creek, WI shooting: education is needed, but so is pursuit of justice“: I agree with the article as a whole yet I still believe education has a pivotal role to play in opening mindsets to differences. When studies show that children learn to stereotype and form prejudice as early as two years of age, those ideas will only become more concrete with […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Hate Crimes, Politics • Tags: Education, hate crimes, Navjot Kaur, Oak Creek, Sikh Coalition, Wisconsin

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Recent tragedy in WI highlights need to pass proposed legislation

August 14, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The tragedy at the Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, has underscored the need for passage of bills and initiatives addressing the discrimination that particularly targets America’s Sikhs. There are several on-going campaigns whose demonstrable need has become heightened. If you live in California, there are two pieces of legislation that need your immediate support to move forward: The Revised Curriculum Framework Bill (source: SALDEF): “The Revised Curriculum Framework Bill was introduced in the California State Senate by Senator Hancock, and […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Politics • Tags: AB1964, FBI, FBI Hate Crime Statistics, Revised Curriculum Framework Bill, SALDEF, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Sikh Coalition, Workplace Religious Freedom Act, WRFA

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Helping children understand the WI Gurdwara tragedy

August 11, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

During the week, I was interviewed by the editor of masalamommas.com Anjum Choudhry Nayyar, in which she discusses the use of social media by mothers to help children deal with the tragic shooting last week at the Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin: Many of us, as moms, can play a role in raising awareness about different cultures and tolerance right here in our own homes. While time isn’t always on our side, common sense is. If we can arm our […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Hate Crimes, Resources • Tags: Gurdwara, hate crimes, Masala Mommas, Oak Creek, resources for children, Sikh Coalition, Wisconsin

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Wisconsin Gurdwara shootings: charting a path forward

August 11, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

It has been nearly a week since the shooting at the Oak Creek, Wisconsin Gurdwara. Yesterday, the memorial and funeral services were held for the six victims who did not survive. I pray that the Divine Spirit accepts their souls, and for the recovery of the critically injured. The loss of those from this physical realm can only be truly appreciated by their families and friends. The souls of the departed continue on their journey. In their memory, we must press forward and not […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Hate Crimes, Reflections • Tags: funeral, Gurdwara, hate crimes, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Poem of the Day

August 10, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

I was a locked temple; The gems of God were stored in my heart, And I knew not. My Master opened the door of my heart for me; My Master had the key and I knew it not. Now I see all. ~ Professor Puran Singh, 1881-1931

Categories: Civil Rights, Hate Crimes • Tags: Gurdwara, hate crimes, Oak Creek, shootings, Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, Wisconsin

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Presidential campaigns speak to Sikh and Asian American issues

July 31, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Ten days ago, representatives of President Barack Obama and Republican candidate for president Mitt Romney participated in a town hall organized by APIAVote to speak to Asian American issues. Rep. Mike Honda, attending on behalf of the President, offered the Sikh greeting to acknowledge the community: Honda, a Democrat from California who is chair emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, gave a shout-out to the Sikh community before answering questions on behalf of the Obama campaign. “Saat Sri […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Events, Politics • Tags: APIAVote, Asian American, Barack Obama, Mike Honda, Mitt Romney, Presidential Town Hall, SALDEF, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Tim Davis

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Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Category Archives: Civil Rights

Ishwar Singh discusses his prayer for the Republican National Convention

Take a tour of South Asian American history in Berkeley, CA

Just how many Sikhs are in the United States, anyway?

Reader: Education is pivotal to combat prejudice and discrimination

Recent tragedy in WI highlights need to pass proposed legislation

Helping children understand the WI Gurdwara tragedy

Wisconsin Gurdwara shootings: charting a path forward

Poem of the Day

Presidential campaigns speak to Sikh and Asian American issues