mellowtigger (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mellowtigger) wrote2012-08-07 10:59 am
mellowtigger) wrote2012-08-07 10:59 am
Sikh means student
Another week, another mass shooting in America. This time, though, the stupidity of bigotry seems apparent. I'm sure we'll eventually hear more details about the killer's motives, but I'm guessing that he mistakenly thought the Sikhs he was killing were "Muslim dangers to America".
Sikhs follow their own unique religion. Literally, the word Sikh means student. They think that humans are always learning important lessons throughout their lives. When their religion was founded, turbans were worn only by kings and other people of high status. Sikhs wore turbans to remind everyone of the equality and importance of every individual person. They believe that each human life is more precious than diamond. Selfless service is part of their faith. Sikhs are not pacifists, and they have repeatedly fought on behalf of European interests during the last century.
Perpetrating a killing rampage on Sikhs is akin to slaughtering Quakers or Amish. It's absurd. The multicultural ignorance of fearful Americans is shameful. Xenophobia is a destructive spasm that helps nobody at all.
p.s. I thought of a better metaphor later while bicycling to work. Given their focus on service, learning, and cooperation, they're more like the Arab world's version of Unitarian Universalists. Disagree with them, sure, but how could anyone consider them a mortal threat?
Sikhs follow their own unique religion. Literally, the word Sikh means student. They think that humans are always learning important lessons throughout their lives. When their religion was founded, turbans were worn only by kings and other people of high status. Sikhs wore turbans to remind everyone of the equality and importance of every individual person. They believe that each human life is more precious than diamond. Selfless service is part of their faith. Sikhs are not pacifists, and they have repeatedly fought on behalf of European interests during the last century.
Perpetrating a killing rampage on Sikhs is akin to slaughtering Quakers or Amish. It's absurd. The multicultural ignorance of fearful Americans is shameful. Xenophobia is a destructive spasm that helps nobody at all.
p.s. I thought of a better metaphor later while bicycling to work. Given their focus on service, learning, and cooperation, they're more like the Arab world's version of Unitarian Universalists. Disagree with them, sure, but how could anyone consider them a mortal threat?