Mistaken Identity and Liberal Sikh Mindset

Definition: po·lit·i·cal cor·rect·ness

"The avoidance, often considered as taken to extremes, of forms of expression or action that are intended not to offend or disadvantage a person or a group." 

In the US, the term is used to signify the modus operandi of the Left-wing political activists who are unwilling to state the obvious constrained by the "political correctness". The American politics can be measured between the left wing and right wing philosophies. 

Left vs. Right Wing Politics in US

The parallels are obvious in the Indian political scene. The Congress party claims a socialist agenda while the BJP presents a conservative approach. The Congress Party has historically been aligned with the Communist Party of India and the Soviet Union, 

Left vs. Right Wing Politics in India

So how does these term apply to the Sikhs? Do we have a left wing and a right wing among us? Do the Sikhs also suffer from the "political correctness" as our American and Indian friends? I think we do. A Sikh could be a "democrat" or "republican" and would generalize himself as a liberal or conservative. But that's American political adoption and the question is - do the Sikhs have liberal vs. conservative division among themselves based on religious or cultural adherence levels.

Sikh Diaspora in early 20th Century

Historically, all Sikhs were considered equal and their adoption of religious and cultural issues were identical. This was primarily due to the fact that being a minority, the Sikhs were generalized broadly. There was also minimal differences among the Sikhs as all looked the same and followed the same code of conduct.

The Changing Face of Sikh Diaspora in 21st Century

Over time due to the global migration, urbanization, and influence of diverse political and cultural influences, the divisions have appeared among the Sikh community. The Sikhs of today not only look dissimilar, the adherence to their religious and cultural identity has been diversified.

The "Left Wing Sikhs"

The left wing of Sikh diaspora is dominated by the politically correct educated class - ACLU lawyers, and liberal activists. The so called "Liberal Sikhs" has borrowed the Left Wing's idea of liberalism and substituted it with race, religion, gender, age, or sexuality based identities.They actively participate in inter-faith activities but fail to propagate the growth of religion. 

There are values of liberalism that corresponds to the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, for example:

1. Avoid harsh language, thoughts, and actions that may hurt someone's feelings
2. Respect people of all races, religions, and backgrounds
3. Treat men and women equally - avoid exclusionary, gender-specific language
4. Respect all religions in a multi-cultural society that we live in
5. Avoid expressions that devalue people with physical or mental disabilities

However, our liberal Sikhs have taken that this message to a different level.

Recent Hate Crimes

Hate crimes against the Sikhs are on rise here in USA. The cause of this hatred could be based on xenophobic and anti-immigrant feeling among certain section of the society. This feeling has heightened since the 9/11 and war against terrorism. The Sikhs have been silent victims of this Hate and an unwilling player in this drama. It all started with the racial murder of a Sikh, Balbir Singh Sodhi in front of his gas station in Mesa, Arizona. Since then, there has been a number of hate crimes against the Sikh men wearing turbans. The mass murder of worshipers at the Sikh Temple in Wisconsin, numerous racial attacks in New York, and most recently, the hate crime against elderly Sikhs in Fresno, California.

Memorial for the victims of Wisconsin Mass Killings at Sikh Temple

Mistaken Identity?

The fact is that the Americans have identified the "enemy" in this war against radicalism and terrorism. Unfortunately, the "Enemy" looks like us, the Sikhs.

This mistaken identity crisis has been the primary cause of hate crimes against the Sikhs. The average American can not distinguish between a turban wearing Sikh and a Muslim.

Sikh Man falsely labelled as Muslim Terrorist

Virender Jubbal, a Sikh youth from Canada who was mistakenly labelled as terrorist by some mischievous elements and published in newspapers all over Europe as the suspected terrorist responsible for the Paris terror attack. 

Left Wing Contribution

However, I feel that our Left Wing Sikh leaders have contributed to this confusion. The association between the Sikhs and Muslims on public media has caused more confusion among the reporters as well as the general public. The much publicized article published in many national newspapers and social media circles have added to the confusion. Take a look at the picture below where the author deliberately tries to confuse the reader between the Sikhs and Muslims: 

Sikh or Muslim?

Here is another example of mistaken "liberalism" and "political correctness" hurting the Sikh cause. Muslim students from UC Berkely protested against the cartoons on Prophet Mohammad by a french cartoonist in 2001. SF Gate published an article on this protest with a pic of an innocent Sikh student among the protesters. Its obvious for the reader of this article to get confused between the Sikhs and Muslims

Mistaken Identity - Sikh or Muslim?

Now look at this Left Wing Warrior who was on a mission to "Stop Hate" at a Donald Trump rally in Iowa. What was he doing there? Did he serve the cause of Sikhism or created more confusion among average Americans? His intentions are made clear by his statement to the press, "'If Donald Trump thought I was a Muslim, I'd be proud' - turban-wearing Sikh who interrupted rally says he wanted to challenge candidate's 'old man mutterings'. Well done, Mr. Arish Singh. Let's hope, your actions do not confuse more Americans to mistake Sikhs as Muslims.

Arish Singh protesting at a Donald Trump rally

Here are some more examples of activities of left wing Sikhs that is causing harm to the Sikhs. These left wing activists are joining Muslim organizations to fight against hate crimes. Now that sounds like a great idea, right? How do you think a reader in Arkansas state will understand the following article?

Newspaper published in Arkansas in Sikhs and Muslims

Last Words

It's not that the Sikhs should ostracize the Arabs and Muslims. It is wrong to blame all Muslims for the crime of the few radical elements. But that is their internal matter and they need to fix it themselves. All I am saying is that, the Sikhs need to not get in the quagmire of current world crisis with radical Islamists. 

The call of the hour is, to stand up and declare who we are, what we believe in, and how we have .. and will continue to contribute to a peaceful and prosperous America. It's time to also make it categorically crystal clear, who we are NOT.

Bibliography

1. http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Muslims-at-UC-protest-cartoon-in-Daily-Cal-18-2878008.php
2. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/27/the-brave-sikh-man-who-stood-up-to-trump-s-muslim-bashing.html
3. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3416344/If-Donald-Trump-thought-Muslim-d-proud-turban-wearing-Sikh-interrupted-rally-says-wanted-challenge-candidate-s-old-man-mutterings.html#ixzz3yYdF16Rw 
4. http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/sikh-coalition-anti-muslim-hate
5. http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/dec/26/sikhs-muslims-unite-to-defend-religious-1/?f=features-religion
6. http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/sikh-coalition-anti-muslim-hate