Educate yourself.. Please. Turban does not equal terrorist!

1. THE SIKH COALITION www.sikhcoalition.org

2. Who are the Sikhs? Asian Indians ( 2010 census) Sikh ethnicity Origin: Punjab Indian/Punjab Pakistan Homeland: Kesghar of AnadPur -Father Guru Gobind Singh -Mother= Manta Sahib Kaur “Renounce all previous lineages of caste, creed & religious affiliation”**** Language: Spoken Punjabi Written Gurumukhi Script

3. County of Origin: PUNJAB

4. Immigration to U.S.A PUSH in water rates and land revenue = mortgage land to moneylenders - could not pay back 3x amount IN AMERICA/CANADA: Pay: $2.00/ day (Vs .30 cents in Punjab) PULL: British recruitment -Canada -Labor : Rail Roads : lumber industry -poor work conditions and broken promises

5. Sacramento Imperial Valley San Diego

6. 1899-1920 : 7,348 Asian Americans immigrated 1899-1920 - 85% SIKHS -13% Muslim -2% Hindu ***** All Termed Hindus***** 1910-1920 : In Asian Indians by 33.5% - group of laborers threatening majority group monopoly.

7. LocationLocationLocation 1908 Coastal Valleys Oregon Washington Continue southern movement ( California) San Joaquin Valley Imperial Valley Sacramento Valley

8. Gurdwara SIKH TEMPLE ( Religious/ethnic enclave) 1901-1915 Center of Immigration Movement Meet on weekends to think about common welfare Welcome new and help them find jobs Stockton California

10. Blend of Islam and Hinduism

11. Monotheistic

12. 15th century

13. Guru Nanak Due

14. The Counsel of the Gurus

15. 10 successive Gurus Sikh= learners God = Sat Nam TRUTH

16. . "There is only the One Supreme Lord; there is no other at all. Spirit, soul and body, all belong to Him; whatever pleases His Will, comes to pass" (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 45). God has created a religion, a path, a faith, which brings one closer to God and helps one to unite with him. There is one endless God “indescribable, inestimable, indubitable, infallible, intangible, imperishable, immutable, immortal, immaculate, immanent, unconquerable, unique, formless, fearless, deathless, timeless, ageless, compassionate, omnipresent and creator of all.”

17. What does a Sikh look like?5 Articles of Faith (Kakaars ) Purpose: To keep Sikhs united in pursuit of ideal life. -symbols of faith- bringing them closer to God Kara: Bracelet made of steel. Worn to remind a Sikh that he or she is a servant of the Guru and should not do anything that may bring shame or disgrace. Kangha : Worn in their hair. Serves as a constant reminder that the Sikh must remain socially committed and never practice asceticism.

18. KESH Keeping of hair in natural state : - living in harmony with the will of God. Symbolic : Khalsabrotherhood and Sikh faith They are to live the way God made them Turban is part of the instruction *protect the hair- *keep a Sikh focused on his beliefs. * declares sovereignty, dedication, self- respect, courage and piety

19. Kachhera: (Soldier's shorts) is linked to a high moral character and must be worn at all times. It reminds the Sikh of the need for self-restrain over passions and desires. Kirpan: religious sword an initiated Sikh's solemn obligation of courage and self-defense. denotes dignity and self-reliance, the capacity and readiness to always defend the weak and the oppressed. It helps sustain one's martial spirit and the determination to sacrifice oneself in order to defend truth, oppression and Sikh moral values. ****mandated

20. The Sikh Coalition: Open to all in need of civil rights protection reject caste systems Integration Goals: pluralistic “ work towards a world where Sikhs may freely practice and enjoy their faith while fostering strong relations with their local community.” STRESS: Importance of life here in America - no mention: Tours to Punjab Donations accepted**

21. Issues Sikhs Face PREJUDICE TERRORIST Appearance Five Articles of Faith Anti immigrants “Orientals” Indians DISCRIMINATION WHY DID YOU ATTACK US? Taxi Cab Drivers Lexus AT&T M.T.A. Air Travel Discrimination October 28,2007 Flying while Sikh Turban and Kesh Sensenbrenner-King Bill TerwinderKaur : Browndeer November 4, 2004

22. Gender Equality= Fundamental Principal Women’s Empowerment FEMALE FETICIDE Selective abortion of females DOWERY PRATICE – lowers value of girl child Many links, organizations and educational materials

23. Programs within the Community LEGAL MATTERS: Bias incident reports Bias incident reporting Hate crimes Employment discrimination Public accommodations Profiling Safeguard religious freedom

24. Advocacy Encourage civic participation Government respect or Sikh concerns Petitions Rallies Vigils Letter writing campaigns Congressional outreach Civil rights reports Meeting with governmental agencies and media outreach

25. OUT REACH TO PUNJABS SIKH GENOCIDE PROJECT Invasion: June 1984 Pogroms: November 1984 **And then some** www.sikhgenocide.org ENSAAF - Justice End torture in Punjab “No one is held here without being tortured”

26. Community Outreach EDUCATION: Distribute and create materials on Sikhs for government and educational agencies. Essay competitions Library project Department of education meetings on bias SIKH STUDENT ASSOCIATION CIVIL RIGHTS PROGRAM