I was mindlessly watching the m
ind-numbing local news of Los Angeles (it’s usually either a shooting or a car chase), and I did a double take. On my TV, there was a group of Sikhs parading on the streets in front of the Staple Center and a shot of Mayor Villaraigosa in a blue turban.[Google image has not been able to help me on this one, but trust.]
“What makes L.A. so special is that we come here from every corner of the Earth to participate in the American dream,” [Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa] said during a prayer service at the Los Angeles Convention Center, part of a celebration for Baisakhi Day, the India-based religion’s annual holiday of renewal and rebirth…Organizers said that as many as 15,000 Sikhs from throughout Southern California attended the daylong event, which included music, free food and a colorful parade through downtown.[link]
Busy weekend. Not only was it Sri Lankan New Year, Bangladeshi Bengali New Year, Thai New Year (with water fights), Easter, the Los Angeles SM Meetup, but it was Baisakhi Day as well.
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L.A.’s Blue Turbaned Mayor |
Baisakhi Day, which historically marks the year’s first harvest, commemorates a principal guru’s directive in 1699 that Sikhs “become protectors of the human spirit.” [link]The Sadh Sangat of Sikh Dharma held its first celebration of Baisakhi in Los Angeles in April, 1970…Since the late 1980s, the Sikh Dharma Baisakhi Celebration has been held at the vast Los Angeles Convention Center, in collaboration with a network of Southern California Gurdwaras…This year’s Baisakhi theme is “We are the Khalsa – A Legacy of Service.”… To highlight that standard, this year Golden Temple Cereals, a socially and environmentally responsible company founded by Yogi Bhajan, will be making a presentation to the Los Angeles Mayor’s office on behalf of the entire Sikh Community of Southern California, and donating a truckload of Peace Cereals to the Los Angeles Food Bank. [link]
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p>Yum, Peace Cereal. And a peaceful post 9/11 message at the parade to go with it…
“In the post-9/11 environment, the turban has gotten a lot of negative associations because of the images we’ve seen,” said Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa, a spokeswoman for Sikh Dharma International, one of the event’s sponsors… “The Sikh turban, from a values perspective, is synonymous with the core Bill of Rights.” [link]
Whatever your holiday of choice was this weekend, I hope it went well-!
Taz—thanks for the great post. Was hoping someone would write about this. IÂ’ll keep my eyes peeled for a photo. 🙂
Meanwhile, in celebration of Baisakhi—and Sikhism in general—wanted to share my deep-seated respect and awe of Sikhism, not only as a religion, but as a way of life. I am not Sikh, but have a grandfather who has long revered the religion and who has consistently made it a point to underscore the ways in which Sikhism revers womankind, something I find fascinating.
If I’m not mistaken (and if I am, please correct/educate me), I think it was Guru Nanak Dev who first defied traditional religious protocol and stereotype by admitting women into the “sangat” (congregation), after which Guru Angad Dev advocated for education, regardless of gender. Later, Guru Hargobind declared that woman is man’s conscience and Guru Gobind Singh proclaimed that a Sikh woman is in her own right an individual, one who was free to assume the 5 Ks for herself, and to assume the name “Kaur” (princess) until her death.
To all you Sikh warrior women out there—many of whom are my sisters in the social justice movement leading the charge in almost every arena & fora imaginable—mad props to you for your work, your commitment, and your voice. For Baisakhi, I celebrate you.
Just a quick (pedantic) comment. There’s no such thing as a ‘Bangladeshi’ New Year per se. We celebrate the Bengali New Year, Pohela Baishakh. It is equally celebrated across the border by Indian Bengalis in West Bengal, and by both nationals, often together, across the globe in expatriate communities. Although it’s stated in the article you linked to, I wanted to point it out here since I was interested to see the common word ‘baishaki’. And, well, lending any kind of creedence to Partition, indirect/unintentional or otherwise, bothers me. – M. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengali_New_Year]
It’s New Year for the Tamizh and Malayali people as well.
Happy baisakhi to one and all forget saying happy holidays…be specific!
Happy Puthaandu/Baisaki/Avurudu, all! Have a wonderful year ahead. (it’s hard because while I’d like to be specific, Jeet, as Taz points out, there are a bunch of holidays to celebrate.)
While I’m thrilled at the sentiment, to add to the pedantry, there is also no such thing as Sri Lankan New Year. It’s Tamil New Year (for Tamils in India and SL) and Sinhala New Year.
Puthaandu Vazhthukkal!
Rangoli Bihu in Assam, and in Orissa too. It’s the Solar Calendar you see. Yugadi, Gudipadva, for Telugu, Kannada, Konkani and Marathi speaking people, happened two weeks ago. At home I was brought up celbrating both Yugadi and Varsha Pirappu or Puthandu.
Happy Songkran (Thailand) Happy Thingyan (Myanmar) Happy Bon Chol Chhnam (Cambodia) Happy BoumPimai (Laos)
Buddhist countries following Indian calendars – a testament to the once pervasive Indian influence in SE Asia.
SP
Thanks for your nice words about Sikhism. It is true that in principle Sikhism is a progressive religion with regards to equality for all people and for women and sometimes this is a living hardwired reality of Sikh life – especially in the institution of the langar and the spirit of hard work and self sufficiency it inculcates amongst Sikhs – but sadly the reality as well is that some aspetcs of Punjabi culture that are chauvinistic do persist amongst Sikhs meaning that sometimes Sikhs fail to live up to the noble principles of Sikhism. Like all things, it should make us strive to uphold those values!
Love and Blessings
Sandy
Following up on shiva (comment 3) – Happy Vishu, y’all!
Well I hope for you sake that the LA biasakhi was better then the one I want to in Surrey,B.C. There was a khalistan float which the police had to stop at 1st, due to the fact they had pictures of dead people on there float. Thankfully they took the pictures down before parade began.
Here in Vancouver they have 2 parades on the same day. The one in Vancouver is the moderate one and the one in Surrey is the right wing sikh parade.
A lot of the aforementioned festivals signalling the arrival of food (harvest) and good weather (spring) around Asia… can’t get much better than that.
PearlJamFan – it never ceases to amaze me how all of your comments somehow put down Sikhs or Sikhism in some way or another. Just an observation.
PearlJamFan
I have to agree with Sonia here. It would be different if you ever cracked a joke, smiled, or talked about some other subject. But it’s like sitting next to a morbid monomaniac, reading your posts. Everyone knows that there are problems amongst Punjabis in BC. Everyone knows that there are right wing religious nationalist elements too. But you never, ever, ever say anything but gripe and whine and moan. Whenever I see your name being written I can guess immediately without reading your post what the tone and content of it will be. How about changing the tune sometimes? Are you suffering from depression? (this is a serious question)
Well I’m sorry Sonia for feeling the way that I do. There are some thing that are about punjabi and sikhism culture I don’t like and will never back down from speaking my mind on. After all it is my culture I have the right to speak about it.
PJF – it is progressive to acknowledge one’s faults – but even in a social setting – one doesnt just state facts unrelated to the discussion – it makes for a boring one-sided conversation – a more constructive presentation would be that you suggest what can be done to fix the problems at large, of course if the problem is linked to the discussion underway – an even more powerful position would be if you stepped out and took the issues that you are highlighting head-on – i’ve suggested this before and will do so again – have you considered applying as a volunteer to http://www.charityvillage.com . This is one good way of helping your community out, addressing the ills that you think are plaguing it – and i daresay you’ll feel good about it. what do you think?
Thank you Dhavaak.
Pearl Jam Fan, you didnt answer my post, why was that?
Here in Vancouver area, dhavaak I have spoken to leaders of the punjabi comunnity about the problems and what can be done to fix them. Instead I have get nothing but in the one ear and out the other, when I was speaking to them. I have written to several of the punjabi newpapers and not get rejected. One of the editors of punjabi papers told me that what I wrote was all true, but his readers would not be happy reading what I wrote, so he couldn’t print my article.
It was 13 months ago Amandeep Atwal father was found guilty of killing her for dating a white boy. Yet many people in the punjabi community spoke up for the sick man who killed her daughter but nobody spoke for Amandeep at the trial that was punjabi. I think that is when I started to become negative.
Pearl Jam Fan
So for that you have been reduced to a nervous monomaniacal wreck bleached in unrelenting negativity and cynicism? Dhavaak has asked you why you don’t volunteer with grassroots organisations that deal with these problems day in and day out and put your energy to positive use. Start a blog or meet like minded people with whom you can address these issues. Instead you give off all the charm of a dead fish – nothing but unrelenting doom and gloom and negativity.
Well Sandy kaur the thing is that I’m a very happy go lucky person. If you really want to ask me about any other topic I would be then willing to talk.
PJF – I see. Thanks for explaining. It must be frustrating to have organizational inertia keep you from putting thoughts to action. My position would still be that you can change things by yourself and present a more favorable side of Punjabis and Sikhs to your community. It does not have to be grand, but just being out there front and center makes a big difference – is that not the principle of kar seva?
personal passions differ – I did a quick search through charityvillage, and my dream opportunity would be this one here.. it would let me spend weekends outside in the woods – take a buzz through – heck they might be looking for volunteers to drive seniors ot Pearl Jam concerts, you never know 🙂
What about the religion PJF? Why is it that whenever Sikhism is the topic, horrible punjabi culture is your answer. Do you know anything about the religion or do you just ignore it because you don’t like the punjabis in your area? Plenty of topics are presented on Sepia Mutiny – it’s your comments that are always the same.
You don’t come across as a happy go lucky person at all. You come across as a scab picking depressed monomaciac who never smiles or jokes or even has anything postive to say about anything. Not even a passing jokey comment. Just a drip-drip-drip of the same (often irrelevant to the topic) negativity and cynicism. Not that it matters, but you seem to exist in a perpetual state of doom and gloom!
I hope this question is too personal but for Sonia, Sandy kaur and dhaavak, where are do you live rigth now
Thank you Dhavaak for your wise words – it is indeed the principle of kar seva.
As I understand it Sikhs have been fighting the demons within from day one – Guru Nanak started the religion to battle against the evils of caste and female infanticide and oppression – sadly this is an ongoing battle amongst Sikhs just as it is for all Indians and all of these evils still exist amongst some of us. What Guru Nanak taught us was that you can make a change by standing up for certain principles and doing kar seva – rather than scowling and hating and doing nothing about them. The battle against the enemy within and without will never cease. Be a disciple of Guru Nanak and make a change rather than wallow in your negativity – which is simply a dissipation of negative energy to satisfy the ego, rather than doing something good.
Born and raised in California, now on the East Coast. How does that matter? I understand that there are areas in Canada where Punjabis tend to be more backwards. There are areas in California that are the same. But the group of people in these areas do not represent all Punjabis. Every community has its share of problems. If everyone thought like you, they would assume the entire world was full of horrible people.
What a way to live.
Well next year my sister well be at Harvard joing my neice and they are both are punjabi and sikh. Is that a postive?
not personal at all buddy. I live in Toronto, as how we pronounce it amongst ourselves, Truntoo. 🙂
Pearl Jam Fan
Born in Hounslow, west London, supporter and sometimes activist for Southall Black Sisters.
Pearl Jam Fan, we have a lot of negativity in England towards Pakistanis, especially amongst some of the youth due to certain practices and mentalities amongst some Mirpuri communities, especially since the London bombings. But I say the same to those totalising depressives as I say to you – do you actually have a perspective other than that the world is going to end and nothing can be done about it? And you keep saying that your inheritance is something you are aware of, but I have never come across you once saying anything but the most morbid, scowling, totalising remarks on this blog ever, and I have been lurking and enjoying and reading for the last six months.
Sonia did you grew up in Fresno area, that where most of my mow brother and sisters and there familes live. And I find that area to be alot more advanced then Vancouver area.
Well Sandy Kaur and Sonia, the funny thing is that. One of the things I that I speak about alot is Sexism in punjabi culture, and how upsets me alot that females don’t have the same rights as males in our culture.
You 2 can’t hate me for wanting you to have the same freedoms as punjabi males.
I actually grew up in the Bay Area. The community will naturally become more advanced each generation … some areas are just slower than others. But you really need to stop being so down on the Punjabi community. Look past them towards your religion. Sandy and Dhaavak have written great comments that I’m sure all of us could learn from. It’s very easy to dismiss things because of obstacles (in your case, the backwards uncles), but step up to the challenge and either do something about it or at least try to immerse yourself more in the religion than in the community.
sandy kaur broke it down:
wise words for all of us. pjf, someone asked if you were depressed — i wonder too, respectfully. if you are, there’s a lot you can do about it. getting caught in a cycle of negative feelings happens all too easily.
big up to the southall black sisters, by the way! glad to know you’re out there lurking!
No, but I can for you complaining about it so much =)
Instead of reiterating examples about sexism, why not lead your life in the way you want others to lead theirs? Treat your sisters and other women in your community with respect and encourage them to step up and be equals. I guarantee it will be a lot more satisfying than commenting about injustice.
I started a Sikh organization in the Bay Area post-9/11 and went through plenty of obstacles trying to get the support of the Gurdwaras. Let me just tell you that they weren’t exactly jumping up and down waiting to hand over money to a 20 year old college student. Sure, I usually had to take a man with me to meetings to back me up, but I always got what I needed in order to do what I felt I had to do. And after I had proved myself to the committe, I had no further problems. In fact, I received nothing but praise from them. So what I keep saying is, jump over the obstacles and do something! If I can, I’m sure you can.
PearlJamFan:
May I weigh in, though I am not a Sikh?
Item 1
When Hitler became powerful, German Jews were wondering what to do. The mathematician John von Neuemann suggested immigration to America. Friends asked him, “Don’t you want to stay here and do something about it?” von Neumann replied, “You are responsible for yourself and your family, not for the whole community”.
Item 2
In “My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story”, Abraham Verghese describes a South Asian redneck, then goes on to say “I was not his keeper”.
since you live in the bay area Sonia are you aware of this problem in the bay area.
http://www.indocommunity.us/news7.html
Pearl Jam Fan
Sonia has already said that she does not live in the Bay Area.
Given everything else she has said, and that she has experience as a grassroots activist in that area, can you explain why you ask her is she is aware of the story in that link, and what relevance it has to this thread, other than a kind of pointing the finger at something and doing nothing else? Given that, I think I recall, you also posted that story on another thread? Bear in mind what Dhavaak said above:
Pearl Jam Fan, in all seriousness, are you dealing with issues of depression? I too can understand about how problems we see in the world can affect us personally and contribute to a cycle of negative feelings and issues of self worth. It is often what we see in the world that makes us sad personally.
Wow, PFJ, I give up dude. Now you’re just starting to depress me and I don’t need that.
I tell you that I grew up in the Bay Area and you link me to some article from the year 2000? Do you just have a database of horrible Punjabis and randomly pull out incidents based on the other person’s location? Props to you, but I’d suggest a job instead.
Go find some other articles by Lisa Fernandez – she’s written many about Sikhs for the San Jose Mercury News. And don’t be too surprised when you find she’s actually written some great pieces on positive aspects of Sikhism and the Punjabi community, including the organization I mentioned earlier.
I’m sure it doesn’t matter to you whatsoever, but you might be happy to know that the horrible Punjabi gangs in the Bay Area actually haven’t been as much of an issue since the date of this article. But again, I’m sure that piece of information won’t be included in your anti-Punjabi database.
I tried giving you the benefit of the doubt but I give up.
Pearl Jam Fan
I hate to say this – because I always like to engage with people honestly and straightforwardly and we have alot of issues in the Punjabi community that need addressing which you of course raise. But nothing that I or Sonia have said refute this – in fact we are two Sikh women engaging in dealing with some of them. So what is the need to regurgitate a news article from five years ago about something that Sonia herself says from personal experience is not an issue there anymore? Does this not suggest to you that things can and do change, and sometimes for the better?
Oh, this is the other thing I wanted to say, and that I hate to have to say it Pearl Jam Fan. But you come across as a troll sometimes. And I assume that you are not a troll because I always assume the best of people. But it should give you pause for thought about your demeanour, attitude and tenor, when in your repetitious negativity, you link to old stories (five years old!) over and over again, regardless of what is being discussed, to paint a picture of a gang epidemic in the Bay Area, which does not paint a true or balanced picture of the situation there at all, in fact, as Sonia has said, is an issue that has died away and is not relevant in the present day there. That is not to say that it is not to be monitored or watched or worried about, but in your almost propagandising repetition, you don’t actually make the issue any clearer.
I am sorry if I offended you. But I just want to tell you how I see it. And I really hope you are not dealing with issues of depression and that your sensitivity towards the sometimes bad situation in BC is not contributing to a cycle of personal negativity which is causing you pain. You seem like a highly sensitive and compassionate guy. I hope you take my comments in the spirit in which they are intended.
I just did a google search and came across this article relating to the topic of this post – including a picture of the mayor wearing his pughri! He looks quite smart too.
Also nice to know is that the Sikh community raised $75,000 for the LA Regional Food Bank, another positive contribution and example of kar seva that we need to extend to all areas of our lives.
Nice find Sandy! I love when Mayors get involved and actually take an interest in minority groups. The San Jose Mayor, Ron Gonzales, was also a great sport and always helped out the Sikhs in the Bay Area. But I guess SoCal is cooler this one time because they got the mayor in a turban =)
Lots of white politcal leaders here in Vancouver wear turbans at sikh events here in BC. I hope that makes Sonia and Sandy Kaur happy.
Pearl Jam Fan
Why the sarcasm and undercurrent of hostility in your comment?
I think he panicked because he can’t have a conversation which involves responding to questions posed by two Sikh women =)
Sandy kaur I was just saying that here in Vancouver our mayors and other leaders have been wearing turbans at sikh events for years. It’s nothing new.
If I said anything to upset, forgive me cause I just found today that suffer from depression. So that kind of been hard to get used to.
P.S Khalistan forever, India never…. I’ve seen the light
Well Sonia, I’ve have no problem having a conservation with 2 strong independent strong sikh women. I happy to see you 2 are not going to back down from going after me more. You can keep taking personal shots at me if you want, but I won’t go to the level.
I can’t wait for the day when more women of punjabi and sikh background can do what ever they want without worry what other people in our community think.
PJF – Both of us are posing real questions to you and you are refusing to answer any of them. Instead, you retaliate by posting an outdated article and little snippets. How are we supposed to respect you if you can’t even dignify us with a response to our questions? If you’re looking for an adult conversation here, be an adult. We’re giving you a chance here to explain where you’re coming from .. because, I also have suspected that you were just a troll but wanted to give you a chance. You’re obviously not taking advantage of that and are just going to behave like a child instead by avoiding our questions completely.
Pearl Jam Fan
Your response is very strange, erratic, erroneous, hostile and all over the place. You seem to suffering from a degree of paranoia too. I hate to say this, but it really does appear to me that you either really are suffering from depression, or you are a troll.
Last time I checked you 2 have taken personal shots at me and I have not taken any at you.
Sure I would like to answer some questions if you ask them without the attacks.
PJF
I doubt there are many people outside the usual suspects (patriarchal conservatives) who do not want this. And contrary to your perception (or projection) it is actually happening. The more your unrelenting gloom and recursive cynicism comes into play, the more I realise what it is about you that leaves such a bad taste in the mouth – it is the fact that your mentality becomes a self fulfilling prophecy – and that your negativity and unrelenting myopia breeds negativity across the board, including amongst those who are actually trying to do something about the situation. Some of your comments are simply fatuous.