Dilemma for Westerners: A Second Look

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/new-to-sikhism/26118-dilemma-for-westerners-a-second-look.html

:happykaur:

 
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Namaste
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26118

I have been away because I have been very sick but am now clawing my way back.


Of course I am not a Sikh but for a reason I can't put my figure on I find the term "white Sikhs" distasteful. I don't think there are any mind readers here but perhaps someone with a different perspective could help my understanding this and change how I react to the term.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26118

What if there were Chinese Sikhs would they be called "slant eyed Sikhs" or what. Why not just call everyone "Sikhs".

Peace
Satyaban

Satyaban ji

So glad you have returned. I thought you were involved in a big project at work and were too overworked to post here.

I share you feelings about the term "white Sikh" but not because I find it distasteful as I find it confusing.

It can't be about the wearing of whiite bana, though I suspect that is how it started. With Yogi Bhajan and Western Dharma - now Dharma International.

The problem for me is that it leaves Sikhs who are not Indian, but come from all over the world, as you say even China, maybe Japan, out on the margins. There are white Sikhs and ????? Sikhs ????? People from India are tan Sikhs I suppose. What about the jazz pianist Dr. Lonnie Smith, who is African American, a Sikh, and not a member of 3HO? Where does he fit in. Is he a black Sikh?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26118
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26118

I wrote a too long post about this issue a few months ago. Don't worry -- it won't make any difference.

Here it is
http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-s...ite-sikhs.html

What are the steps that could be taken to make Sikhi universal? Please comment.

I really think you are reading into things too much. Being white is something not to be ashamed of, and maybe its a cultural difference between the states and the uk
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26118

:happykaur:

Gora ji

No skin color, ethnic group or tribe one is born into has nothing to be ashamed of. The issue I was speaking of was identifying by color in general. Doesn't what "white Sikhs" really mean is converts. Not with a negative connotation but "convert" just the same. Also being from the USA identifying by color echos of racism even when unintentional as in this case.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26118
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26118

However since I am not a Sikh perhaps it is not my business other than the issue can relate to other faiths.

Peace
Satyaban

I understand what you are getting at. Its just sometimes we have to face, that in order for people to be identified, we have to sometimes use race. And I would never have an issue with someone calling me white because I am.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26118
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26118

If an aritcle read convert, it does not give the reader any clue to what culture the person came from.

You might have a point as I am pretty tired!

But it is something we have to be careful. The word is misused and overused. The word "race" that is.

Jatts, Punjabis, Sikhs, Jews etc are not examples of "races" yet I have heard each group self-identify that way.

The idea of "race" itself is scientifically ambiguous. The problem that I have with the idea of "white" Sikhs is that it is usually a reference to 3HO. But 3HO is a yoga organization. Some members are Sikhs; many are yoga teachers who are not Sikhs.The Sikhs of Yogi Bhajan (another bad phrase) refer to themselves as Sikh Dharma International (previously Western Dharma); and they are international.

I often wonder if the so-called "white Sikhs" headquartered in Espanola New Mexico want to be called that; but because they are non-confrontational people don't make a big issue of it. My experience is that they wear lots of different colors ; and there are American Nihangs among the group who wear blue. White is worn by the amritdhari, and by others, according to the occasion.

Other white Sikhs include Nirmalas, Naamdharis, Nanskaris -- who all wear white. It is a very confusing term and I still am not used to it.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26118

Some "white" Sikhs. Narayan Singh and 2 friends are waiting at the airport for their trip to Miri Piri Academy in Punjab -- boarding school.
http://www.mrsikhnet.com/index.php/2...parture-blues/
 I
At a recent wedding: Some are wearing white; and some are not




From the wedding of Tej Kaur and Siri Chand Singh
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26118
http://www.mrsikhnet.com/index.php/2...hand-tej-kaur/

The woman inpink in the front row is Sat Kirin Kaur, well known western raagini granthi of the Los Angeles Guru Ram Das Gurdwara and the mother of Gurmustukh Singh, CEO of Sikhnet.com.