SALDEF My Name Is Waris, And I'm Proud To Be An American

[aristotle]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P4Geib5UmA

SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund), a national civil rights and educational organization in the United States, has produced the first-ever Sikh American PSA—a 30 second ad for the Sikh community—which is currently airing on Comcast’s cable channels in 39 states across the United States and Washington D.C. at a net worth of $1 million in air time. The PSA features Waris Ahluwalia, Sikh American actor and designer, alongside the images of Sikhs around the United States, recognizing Sikh Americans as a vibrant part of America’s cultural tapestry.

(Source: http://www.saldef.org/news/first-sikh-american-psa/#more-9619)

 

[itsmaneet]

Re: "My name is Waris, and I'm proud to be an American"

He might be an xellent american but m not sure of him being a good Sikh

 

[Tejwant Singh]

Re: "My name is Waris, and I'm proud to be an American"

He might be an xellent american but m not sure of him being a good Sikh

How do you gauge others? In Sikhi we can only gauge ourselves, no one else. I thought you knew that. Judging others in a negative way without having any proof is an insult to yourself and to any other Sikh provided you practice Gurbani because Gurbani says," Sabh Giobind hein, Gobind bin nahin koi".


Tejwant Singh

 

[Harkiran Kaur]

Re: "My name is Waris, and I'm proud to be an American"

He might be an xellent american but m not sure of him being a good Sikh

You might not like him as a person, and you might not approve of his career or choices, however you have to admit that he is doing a lot for the Sikh community in the USA just by being visible! In a country where majority of people still can not correctly identify a Sikh, I think that he is doing is invaluable!

...can you say the same??

SGGS Page 148, Line 8
ਨਾਨਕ ਪਰਖੇ ਆਪ ਕਉ ਤਾ ਪਾਰਖੁ ਜਾਣੁ ॥
Nānak parkẖe āp ka▫o ṯā pārakẖ jāṇ.
O Nanak, if someone judges himself, only then is he known as a real judge.

 

[Tejwant Singh]

Re: "My name is Waris, and I'm proud to be an American"

You might not like him as a person, and you might not approve of his career or choices, however you have to admit that he is doing a lot for the Sikh community in the USA just by being visible! In a country where majority of people still can not correctly identify a Sikh, I think that he is doing is invaluable!

...can you say the same??

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Page 148, Line 8
ਨਾਨਕ ਪਰਖੇ ਆਪ ਕਉ ਤਾ ਪਾਰਖੁ ਜਾਣੁ ॥
Nānak parkẖe āp ka▫o ṯā pārakẖ jāṇ.
O Nanak, if someone judges himself, only then is he known as a real judge.

Akasha ji,

Guru Fateh.

Well said and you are the best example that is here for it.

Thanks & regards

Tejwant Singh

 

[ActsOfGod]

Re: "My name is Waris, and I'm proud to be an American"

He might be an xellent american but m not sure of him being a good Sikh

Everyone has their own role to play in this world-drama. Waris is doing his part admirably. In Truth, none of us is really a "good Sikh". The only "good Sikh" is one who is pleasing to Guru Sahib and furthering Gurus cause. We are all probably trying, in various measures and according to our own abilities, to do the best we can. Like others have mentioned, Waris has done an immense amount of work as an ambassador for Sikhs in the US, from the GAP media campaign to his roles in Hollywood movies & etc. The fact that he is appearing in his turban and unshorn beard is enough to start stemming the tide of negative association with the turban that the media has so maliciously propagated since 9/11. Regardless of his personal convictions (which I know nothing of), as a global community, the Sikhs have a lot to appreciate in Waris. Remember that because of his actions, there may be one less Sikh boy bullied in school. That alone makes it worth it. The hate-violence against Sikhs has reached alarming levels, and it is through these kinds of efforts that it can ultimately be stopped.

Rather than judging another as to whether he is "good" or "bad", worry about your own bhagti. Where is your soul going, what have your actions reflected in this world? When you meet Dharam-Raaj, will you be ready for the judgement? Concern yourself more with such matters, and spend more time reading and studying Gurbani, as it will give you the true guidance in life.

Guru Sahib kirpa karan.

AoG

 

[itsmaneet]

Re: "My name is Waris, and I'm proud to be an American"

How do you gauge others? In Sikhi we can only gauge ourselves, no one else. I thought you knew that. Judging others in a negative way without having any proof is an insult to yourself and to any other Sikh provided you practice Gurbani because Gurbani says," Sabh Giobind hein, Gobind bin nahin koi".


Tejwant Singh

Well am neither judging anybody nor am i entitled to do that !

But the little i know that Waris recently annoyed many Gur Sikhs worldwide recently with his acts, photos etc. So i just had a doubt ...

 

[Harry Haller]

Re: "My name is Waris, and I'm proud to be an American"

Well am neither judging anybody nor am i entitled to do that !

But the little i know that Waris recently annoyed many Gur Sikhs worldwide recently with his acts, photos etc. So i just had a doubt ...

well firstly, he did not annoy me, and secondly, I think that Sikhs on whole should find more important things to be annoyed at, maybe some have their priorities wrong, frankly I was more annoyed to see drawn swords at Darbar Sahib on every UK paper I picked up a few weeks ago, is it because Waris is an easy target? Is it because he is a modern Sikh man? why is it offensive to see a photograph of a modern Sikh man next to an attractive woman, but not offensive to have a book that some see as equal to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that contains much much worse?

 

[AngloSikhPeace]

I didn't think the picture was offensive, it was hardly pornographic or anything. You see more sexual things on Indian movie posters. If anything it was too conservative. If I were in charge I would have had a white woman there, to try to subvert the old-fashioned ideas about mixed-race couples that exist in the US media.

It's just an imaginary aspirational scene. "Buy clothes from Gap, and you will look like this man and beautiful women will love you", or vice-versa.

 

[itsmaneet]

Re: "My name is Waris, and I'm proud to be an American"

well firstly, he did not annoy me, and secondly, I think that Sikhs on whole should find more important things to be annoyed at, maybe some have their priorities wrong, frankly I was more annoyed to see drawn swords at Darbar Sahib on every UK paper I picked up a few weeks ago, is it because Waris is an easy target? Is it because he is a modern Sikh man? why is it offensive to see a photograph of a modern Sikh man next to an attractive woman, but not offensive to have a book that some see as equal to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that contains much much worse?

By GurSikh I meant 'Amrit Dhari' Sikhs not self called Sikhs...
Gurusant Singh Ji, a known & respected GurSikh from USA (Author of Confessions of an America Sikh) who in his prime converted to Sikhism from Christianity can answer better on this Waris matter.

 

[aristotle]

Re: "My name is Waris, and I'm proud to be an American"

By GurSikh I meant 'Amrit Dhari' Sikhs not self called Sikhs...
Gurusant Singh Ji, a known & respected GurSikh from USA (Author of Confessions of an America Sikh) who in his prime converted to Sikhism from Christianity can answer better on this Waris matter.

Gurusant Singh, yeah, the one who planned a protest against the advertisement and later turned back on his own decision.