‘Sikhs in America’ report presented in US Congress
Saturday, 02/05/2015
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Amritsar : The National Sikh Campaign (NSC) arranged a briefing for a report on “Sikhs in America” for members of the US Congress at Capitol Hill.
Geoff Garrin, the head of the Hart Research Associates, presented the report for staffers and Congress members at the Rayburn House Office Building.
Hart Research conducted a nationwide polling to understand how Sikhs are perceived in America. This report was a result of a six-month-long nationwide data-collection operation commissioned by the NSC and it was released this January.
The report has received widespread attention in the media and in academic circles. Members of American Sikh Congressional Caucus sponsored this briefing at the Hill to facilitate a full understanding of the significance of this report and how it would be helpful to the Sikh community to communicate with Americans across the nation.
As per a release issued here, Dr Rajwant Singh, senior advisor to the NSC, said, “This study shows that when we explain Sikhism and Sikh identity to Americans as being closely tied with the values of social equality, gender equity and having an emphasis on caring for the underprivileged, people warm up to the community. That is what the NSC plans to do with a media advertisement campaign based specifically on this study.”
Geoff Garrin said, “Sikhs have to explain to American people what the turban means because that is the immediate source of identification.” He added, “The study shows that when people see Sikhs on the streets anywhere, they are very confused about what their faith is and that confusion leads to tragic consequences.”
Judy Chu, founder and vice-chair of the Congressional American Sikh Caucus, said at the briefing, “Despite the fact that Sikhs have been woven into the fabric of this country for more than a century, this report covers so much of a need to educate our community.
“And the most significant finding here is that most Americans do not know much about the Sikh community. Though it’s disappointing, it can also be a positive because it can be a way to educate people about Sikhs. It is an opportunity to tell your neighbours about why Sikhs wear turbans and have long beards and that these are articles of a loving and peaceful faith.”
