| Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

American Idol Season 12 contestant Gurpreet Singh Sarin. (source: Vancouver Desi)

The “Turbanator” goes for marigold on American Idol

January 17, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Last night, the singing competition American Idol debuted its twelfth season, and was much anticipated by many in the Sikh and South Asian American community because of the rumored participation of Gurpreet Singh Sarin, a singer who wears the turban and beard as part of his Sikh articles of faith. The news of Gurpreet Singh’s participation on the show was a well-guarded secret for over half a year and was broken earlier this week by American Idol Net, an unofficial […]

Categories: TV/Movies • Tags: American Idol, Gurpreet Singh Sarin

"President Obama signs gun-violence-related executive actions following an announcement at the White House Wedensday." (source: CNN)

Gun control is about more than gun rights

January 16, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In recognizing Religious Freedom Day, President Obama made a proclamation that celebrated the right to religious freedom in the United States: Because of the protections guaranteed by our Constitution, each of us has the right to practice our faith openly and as we choose. As a free country, our story has been shaped by every language and enriched by every culture. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, Sikhs and non-believers. Our patchwork heritage is a […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Hate Crimes • Tags: Barack Obama, gun control, gun violence, Oak Creek, Religious Freedom Day, Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, Wisconsin

Oak Creek, five months later

January 15, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Alan Fisher, of Al Jazeera, visits the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek five months after the mass shooting that took the lives of six worshipers: They decided early on the shooting would not define them or their religion, they would not been seen as victims, but instead would go out in the community and explain who they were and what their religion stood for. And they found acceptance and understanding. Read more here.

Categories: Hate Crimes • Tags: Al Jazeera, hate crimes, Oak Creek, Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, Wisconsin

Gurpreet Sarin (source: American Idol Net)

Reality show American Idol rumored to feature Sikh contestant

January 13, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Sometimes, a rumor is simply too juicy to pass up. The website American Idol Net — an unofficial website about Fox network’s popular American Idol singing competition — rumors that Gurpreet Sarin is among the Top 40 contestants for the 2013 iteration of the TV show (via @sepiamutiny): Gurpreet appears to be about 22 years old and lives in the Washington, DC area. This appears to be his first spin through the American Idol machine and if the rumors are true he’s made it […]

Categories: Art, Profiles, TV/Movies • Tags: American Idol, Gurpreet Sarin

Stockton Gurdwara Sahib, circa 1912 (source: Gadar Heritage Foundation)

The Top 5 Sikh American Stories of 2012: Sikh Americans celebrate a century

January 11, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The year 2012 would mark a milestone for Sikhs in America. In late September, Sikh Americans in California’s central valley region celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the establishment of the Gurdwara in Stockton, California. Recognized as the nation’s first and oldest Sikh house of worship, the Stockton Gurdwara Sahib was founded in 1912, and is associated with significant points in Sikh American history. According to the Stockton Record: » It has a direct link to Indian independence and was […]

Categories: Events, Reflections • Tags: Jerry McNerney, Sikh Centennial, Sikhism in the United States, Stockton Gurdwara Centennial Celebration, Tom McClintock, Top 5 Sikh American Stories

Dr. Amy Cuddy (source: Harvard Business School)

The body-mind feedback loop

January 11, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In a TED Talk in June 2012, Dr. Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist from Harvard Business School, discusses the bidirectional relationship between how we see ourselves and our nonverbal language, such as external behavior and body language: Dr. Cuddy’s findings are actually part of a rapidly growing body of evidence that, across a range of important human experiences, feeling often follows action. We tend to assume it’s our personality — the sum total of our attitudes, motivations and emotions — […]

Categories: Reports/Studies • Tags: Amy Cuddy, Harvard Business School, Nonverbal communication, TED

Maharani Bumba Duleep Singh (source: Punjab Heritage News)

Picture of the Day: Maharani Bamba Duleep Singh

January 11, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

An upcoming exhibition at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture will feature a portrait of Maharani Bumba Duleep Singh, the wife of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last recognized Sikh monarch after the British annexed the Sikh empire in 1849. From wikipedia: Maharani Bamba Duleep Singh born Bamba Müller (July 6, 1848 – September 18, 1887) was the wife of Maharaja Duleep Singh. Brought up by Christian missionaries, she married Duleep Singh and became Maharani […]

Categories: Art, Events, Picture of the Day • Tags: Africans in India: From Slaves to Generals and Rulers, Bumba Mueller, Maharaja Duleep Singh, Maharani Bumba Duleep Singh, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

"Harvinder Sahota (right), a cardiologist from Seal Beach, Calif., has donated funds to establish a Center for Sikh Studies program at Claremont Lincoln University, which will be inaugurated in Claremont, Calif., Feb. 1. Sahota is best known for inventing the Sahota Perfusion Balloon. At the left is Asha Sahota. (Harvinder Sahota photo)" (source: India West)

New Center for Sikh Studies coming to southern California

January 10, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

On February 1, Claremont Lincoln University, a graduate school in southern California that focuses on multi-cultural and multi-religious education, will be inaugurating their new Center for Sikh Studies: The Center plans to establish courses in Sikh Studies, to construct online resources on Sikh history and practice, to develop close ties with Sikh communities across Southern California, and eventually to establish an accredited Sikh graduate program in Sikh Studies. It is both fitting and bittersweet that this historic new beginning is […]

Categories: Events, News Bits • Tags: California, Center for Sikh Studies, Claremont, Claremont Lincoln University, Harry Sidhu, Harvinder Sahota, Philip Clayton

Photo of Balpreet Kaur posted on Reddit. (source: Reddit)

The Top 5 Sikh American Stories of 2012: The inspiring grace of Balpreet Kaur

January 10, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In September, one Sikh American woman from Ohio became an inspiration to Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike. Balpreet Kaur was standing in line at the airport when an individual surreptitiously took her photo and posted it on the website Reddit, with the caption: “I’m not sure what to conclude from this.” The object of the photo was an attempt at mockery. Among the first 100 responses to the posting on Reddit were harsh and derogatory comments about Balpreet Kaur’s facial hair, […]

Categories: Reflections, Sikhism • Tags: Balpreet Kaur, Huffington Post, Reddit, Top 5 Sikh American Stories, Women in Sikhism

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