Posted by Harjinder S Singhshavenolastnames on February 14, 2003 at 04:07:42:
We must make a turbaned Sikh as an acceptable normal citizen of the world. If we can't do this, we will see a decline in Sikh community worldwide. We can not
convince our children to 'BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR'. We must give them solid
foundation. If we can make ourselves recognized, accepted and respected, we have a chance to survive and thrive. If you look at the way our community is
changing, you will see in another decade, half as many turbaned gursikhs as you do now.
Sports, although pale in importance to education , are much more vital for this goal. I encourage Sikhs to mold their children for professional sports,
like Tiger Woods, father did. Just imagine if Tiger Woods had been a Gursikh.
No doubt, he would not get the same recognition, but his No 1 status in Golf
could not be taken away. Just imagine gursikhs, as Professional Golfers, Football, Baseball, Ice Hockey Tennis and Basketball players. The thouhght just boggles the mind, of what it will mean to Sikhism.
Keep education in mind, but make professional sports athletes of your children. This could be a 5 to 10 year project, but it must be done.
Nothing comes to those who wait for things to happen.
Take concrete steps now or watch Sikhism decline in the next decade. Do this for youselves and your children. Walk a mile in their shoes. Outside of India, in every nation, when kids go to school, try to undersatnd what it is like to go to school, in sea of thousands of other students, you are so different
looking. The courage to do this is enormous. It must be appreciated, but it can not come with lectures and pleading for family respect and so on..
You must take steps to make their life easier.
Bluntly, we must get our faces on TV films and the News Media in a POSITIVE WAY. When we become more acceptable and recognized in the world, it will make life better for us in employment, social and political scenes. It will also be easier for Cut hair Sikhs to become Gursikhs, and be proud once again of their
religion and their people.
The tide will reverse its course.
Sat Sri Akal