I'm sick of alienating people by labeling them as something as other than me. I feel uncomfortable using the words "them" and "they" refering to people of the Sikh faith in America. Because they are a part of us We are Americans. I'm not talking about the solidarity by saying "we are all Sikh" when I'm not a part of that faith. But it doesn't mean that my heart does not ache thinking about how we as Americans have failed them as fellow Americans, and have for nearly 11 years.
Who has stood up for them? When Eddie Griffin called a Sikh man "Osama bin Laden" in his film "Dysfunktional Family" there was outrage, and it was a teachable moment; why did no one teach us? Why did we we forget about Eddie Griffin and his tasteless and ignorant joke? If we could have embraced our Sikh brothers then, maybe this shooting wouldn't have happened?
We have to be inclusive to all members of society who are willing to work together to make our world a better place. We have to start by understanding our brothers and sisters. As Kevin So so eloquently sings in his song "Individual:"
Just because my hair is a little longer
Just because my skin is a little dark
Just because my eyes are a little smaller
Who are you to judge me?
Just because my clothes are a little ragged
And just because my shoes are old and dirty
Just because I live in this part of the city
Who are you to judge me?
Just because your father is a chauvinist
Just because your mother is real prejudiced
Just because your best friend is an atheist
Who am I to judge you?
I see a white man in the middle
Black man left and a yellow man right
Though they are three strong individuals
They’ll stand stronger side-by-side
They’ll stand stronger side-by-side
They’ll stand stronger side-by-side
Please check out Kevin So because he is a great voice fusing classic funk, gospel and folk in a unique sound.
We are all in this together, Kevin So said it well, but I will leave you with a quote from John F. Kennedy, “I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents. This nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. Today we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free... It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case today.”
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