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Sikh community speaks out
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- Posted August 9, 2012 by
- MidwestSingh Follow
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
Assignment
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I am a proud Sikh. I am a Proud American.
- Anika3, CNN iReport producer
9/11 changed lives of all of us. Not just in USA, but worldwide. Over 3000 families were directly affected and millions were affected indirectly.
From “trust” to “sense of security”. From “extra time for travel” to “suspecting (and sometimes hating) anyone who looked or thought different”. It changed everything.
"Sikhs", who are easily identifiable, were target of such suspicion and hatred. Hundreds were killed by ignorant people. Thousands were targets of slurs.
Some gave up their identity. Cut their hair, trimmed their beard. They tried to blend in. They tried not to look different. They tried to avoid all they could to be targets of ignorant.
Wisconsin shooting victims were innocent targets. They were in a peaceful place involved in peaceful activities, praying for peace in the world. Everyone says that they were killed for no reason. I think, there was a reason why God made this happen. Post that incident; more people have come to know about Sikhism. More people know that like most religions in this world, Sikhism stands for “love and peace”. It respects the fact that there are people who follow other religions and God loves them equally.
I have no hard feelings for the shooter or his friends. They were ignorant and misguided. Investigation is underway to find if there were others in his group and if they are planning on other attacks. I would say, if we find them, do not punish them. Educate them.
Tell them that this is USA. This great nation is based on equality. USA has no religion or color or race or class. People with different religion, color, race and class come here from so many countries. They do not have to blend in. They are free to follow their ideology as long as they respect and do not interfere with others’ ideologies.
I am a proud Sikh. I am a Proud American.
I love this country. I live here because I feel safe and know that I have rights. I know that I am free to follow my religion here. I know that unlike some other countries, I do not have to blend in to be accepted. I know that America does not tolerate any wrongdoing. Law is same, irrespective of skin color of accused or the victim.
From “trust” to “sense of security”. From “extra time for travel” to “suspecting (and sometimes hating) anyone who looked or thought different”. It changed everything.
"Sikhs", who are easily identifiable, were target of such suspicion and hatred. Hundreds were killed by ignorant people. Thousands were targets of slurs.
Some gave up their identity. Cut their hair, trimmed their beard. They tried to blend in. They tried not to look different. They tried to avoid all they could to be targets of ignorant.
Wisconsin shooting victims were innocent targets. They were in a peaceful place involved in peaceful activities, praying for peace in the world. Everyone says that they were killed for no reason. I think, there was a reason why God made this happen. Post that incident; more people have come to know about Sikhism. More people know that like most religions in this world, Sikhism stands for “love and peace”. It respects the fact that there are people who follow other religions and God loves them equally.
I have no hard feelings for the shooter or his friends. They were ignorant and misguided. Investigation is underway to find if there were others in his group and if they are planning on other attacks. I would say, if we find them, do not punish them. Educate them.
Tell them that this is USA. This great nation is based on equality. USA has no religion or color or race or class. People with different religion, color, race and class come here from so many countries. They do not have to blend in. They are free to follow their ideology as long as they respect and do not interfere with others’ ideologies.
I am a proud Sikh. I am a Proud American.
I love this country. I live here because I feel safe and know that I have rights. I know that I am free to follow my religion here. I know that unlike some other countries, I do not have to blend in to be accepted. I know that America does not tolerate any wrongdoing. Law is same, irrespective of skin color of accused or the victim.
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