SIKH AMERICAN SPOTLIGHT: SALDEF’s Amman Singh Seehra Shows the Power of ‘One’ SikhLEAD SPOTLIGHT: Gurchit Singh Chatha Explains How A Spoonful of Daal Can Raise Awareness MEDIA: Honoring the Oak Creek Gurdwara and Sangat and Celebrating Chardi Kala in the News MEDIA: PBS News Show Airs SALDEF PSA and Explores Hate Crimes California Congressman Ami Bera Meets with SikhLEADers FIBA Sets Date to Discuss Changing Rules and #LetSikhsPlay VRAA Still Not Passed; SALDEF Asks All Sikh Americans to Contact Representative Comcast Offers Comp Internet for Low Income Families
SIKH AMERICAN SPOTLIGHT: SALDEF’s Amman Singh Seehra Shows the Power of ‘One’
On July 26, the ONE Project— a group of faith and community leaders that brings neighbors together to work as One for the betterment of the community —hosted the NJ Hunger Project, a collaboration with Feeding Children Everywhere and Mercer Street Friends Food Bank. Co-founded in January by SALDEF Speaker’s Bureau member Amman Singh Seehra, the One Project’s first major Initiative, the NJ Hunger Project event, brought local businesses, faith groups, and community partners together to address one of their community’s most pressing needs: childhood hunger. The organization packaged 40,000 meals with the help of more than 350 volunteers. The ONE Project team raised more than $14,000 in donations from over 25 community sponsors and individuals. Once packaged, the meals were delivered to low-income children in Mercer County who struggle to afford food when they are out of school.
“Originally after my work at SALDEF, I realized that Sikh Americans are so successful but they lack visibility,” Seehra explained. “I wanted to help create something that allowed Sikh Americans to participate civically with other faith based groups but where we could be visible and educate others about our beliefs and where we could learn about others as well.”
Want to know more about Amman Singh Seehra? Find out why this Sikh social pioneer is “crazy” about shoes, basketball, and a little boy named Abhay. What is your idea of happiness? Happiness is a state of mind that can be attained at any time. As long as appreciate everything you have you will always be happy, even in the worst of situations. What person do you most admire? I believe you should admire everyone because everyone has something special to give or teach. What is your greatest regret? Not starting the ONE Project earlier. I’ve played around with the ideas for a couple years and we could have helped so many more people if I took the leap earlier. What is your most admired virtue? Positive attitude. It’s really contagious. When and where are you happiest? When I am helping people, playing basketball, and eating good food. What is your most treasured possession? I don’t care much about any possessions but I do love my shoes. Do you know how hard it is to find size 14, EEE width shoes and sneakers. Who are the heroes of your life? My family and friends. What phrases or words do you overuse? Awesome. Crazy. What do you consider your greatest achievement? My family. Fav food? Any burger. Hated food? Hate food… that’s crazy. Fav punjabi saying? Mainoo nahi pata. If you were stuck on an island what would you take? I think a laptop with internet connection is cheating so I’ll say a tennis ball. Whom would you take? My son, Abhay. He’s only 3 but hilarious.
SikhLEAD SPOTLIGHT: Gurchit Singh Chatha Explains How A Spoonful of Daal Can Raise Awareness
Having worked with Sikh organizations like SALDEF and the Bhagat Puran Singh Health Initiative, Berkeley student Gurchit Singh Chatha is no stranger to the challenges facing the Sikh American community. Selected for SALDEF’s 2014 Internship Program, Chatha began the summer as an intern on Capitol Hill for U.S. Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA)—a representative for California’s 17th District and Silicon Valley— and left a Sikh American changemaker.
“Interning for Congressman Mike Honda has been one of the most productive, insightful, and genuinely enjoyable internship experiences I have ever had,” Chatha said. While at SikhLEAD Chatta not only interned on the Hill, where he worked closely with Honda and his staff to explore legislative interests on immigration, healthcare, tech, economic, environmental, and foreign affairs policy, but also completed a group project, “Langar on the Hill,” with other SikhLEADers.
Although “Langar on the Hill” was inspired by a campus langar organized by fellow SikhLEADer, Amrita Bamrah, the overall project was a collective effort by SALDEF’s 2014 SikhLEAD class.
Chatha says initially, he thought the project would be easy, but soon realized the demands of organizing the gathering—from fundraising to marketing strategies, to mundane administrative details. “Together, these three areas contributed to many sleep-deprived nights,” Chatha explained. “In fact, I even had a nightmare in which my spoonful of daal could never make it into my mouth no matter how hard I tried.” Through his internship Chatha was able to garner support from Congressman Honda who has a strong history of Sikh American advocacy. Under the guidance of Honda’s experienced staff and through the collaboration with fellow SikhLEADers, Chatha was able to hash out event logistics, compose written material, fundraise, and spoke with reporters at the event.
Despite some initial apprehension, “Langar on the Hill” turned into an incredible AND historic event—helping spread awareness about Sikhism and celebrating the many contributions Sikhs Americans have made to the nation. “Through the support of our community, SALDEF, and respective Congressional Offices, we were able to encourage discourse across communities and cultural backgrounds to achieve our goal.”
READ: Roll Call: Capitol Hill Langar Highlights Sikh American Community
Want to know more about Gurchit Singh Chatha? Find out why this Sikh American pioneer is “down” with SpongeBob, garden gnomes, and a little coconut water… What is your motto? The great Patrick Star once said, “Is mayonnaise an instrument?” I believe everything is an instrument. What trait do you love? Compassion Deplore? Passive aggression What is your idea of happiness? A forest with a waterfall and dancing garden gnomes, all accompanied by a sitar-sarangi duet playing in the background What person do you most admire? The many people that do good deeds and seek no compensation/go unnoticed. When and where are you happiest? Anywhere, so long as I am either dancing, singing, humming, or casually people-watching What is your most treasured possession? My purple socks with yellow ducks on them. I really like those What phrases or words do you overuse? *Big Sean voice* “Oh god!” , “I’m down,” “Thas a waaoooww,” “What a wonderful,” “Thas it.” What do you consider your greatest achievement? Losing 45 pounds in a year! What do you most value in your friends? The ability to recognize that, sometimes, I need time to spend with myself Where would you most like to live? In a forest that has access to sanitary public restrooms. Please update me if such an ideal location is found. Fav food? Sushi and Thai! Hated food? First world problem. Fav punjabi saying? “Jidi much ni, odi kuch ni!” Fav thing in DC? The African Drum Circle at Malcolm X Park Most hated thing in DC? Suits. I hate suits. People need to wear shorts more often. If you were stuck on an island what would you take? A fully fueled airplane with which I’d fly away once I’m done drinking from all of the coconuts! Whom would you take? My parents. They need a vacation.
MEDIA: Honoring the Oak Creek Gurdwara and Sangat and Celebrating Chardi Kala in the News
As we reflect on the two years that have passed since the Oak Creek Gurdwara shootings—the deadliest attack on a house of worship in U.S. history— we are indebted to the Oak Creek community for their practice of chardi kala and are honored to have them in our sangat. Let us continue to honor their gurdwara’s sangat and the lives of those lost in all that we do. Let us always remember, “We are Oak Creek.”
READ: BBC: After Oak Creek Temple shooting, Sikhs Stand up to Bias
READ: Huffington Post: Sikh Temple Shooting Anniversary Reminds Us an American Hero Can Have a Turban and Beard
In that spirit, SALDEF has been working hard to increase our Sikh American presence in the media as well as bring an increased awareness to the entire nation about our values and patriotism.
In December SALDEF will mark the one-year anniversary of their research study with Stanford University, Turban Myths, highlighting the misconceptions that exist about Sikh Americans. Turban Myths, which has been cited in government memos, provides data that illustrates 70% of Americans cannot identify a dastaar wearing Sikh American as a Sikh, and that a more than 20% of Americans have negative reaction towards a dastaar wearing Sikh American.
WATCH: EWTN: Oak Creek Retrospective
In July, SALDEF released the first-ever Sikh American commercial, with a generous donation from Comcast for 1 million dollars in airtime. A variety of media outlets, including Al Jazeera, the BBC, and EWTN reported on the PSA’s ability to showcase Sikh values and many Americans have contacted SALDEF to ask more questions, and visit local gurdwaras.
VIEW: PBS News Show Airs SALDEF PSA and Explores Hate Crimes
PBS’ Religion & Ethics Newsweekly—an award-winning news series—aired parts of SALDEF’s first-ever Sikh American PSA. Host Kim Loughton explained, “ “US Sikhs have been mobilizing to fight discrimination.The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund has created a new public service announcement showing members of their faith as part of the fabric of America.” Watch the episode (PSA segment starts at 14.39).
California Congressman Ami Bera Meets with SikhLEADERS
After working as a Legal Assistant, SALDEF SikhLEADer Raman Kaur Sangha, joined the SikhLEAD Internship Program to intern for U.S. Congressman Ami Bera. During her internship she drafted memos for congressional staff and attended hearings on Capitol Hill amongst other responsibilities. “I was inspired by the fact that he [Congressman Bera] is the only Indian American in Congress and holds a sit in a district where the South Asian population is less than 2 percent.”
She also organized a private meeting with Congressman Bera and her fellow SikhLEAD interns to learn about the Congressman’s personal journey to Capitol Hill.
FIBA Sets Date to Discuss Changing Rules and #LetSikhsPlay
On July 12—after allowing Sikhs to play basketball with their dastaars throughout the season—FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, reversed its rules just during the FIBA Asia Cup preventing two of India’s most talented players, Amrit Pal Singh, and Amjyot Singh from playing basketball with their dastaars! Referees told them they could not wear their articles of faith because it violated a FIBA rule “Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players.” No one—including dastaar wearing Sikhs—should be singled out because of his or her race, beliefs, or identity. Send a message to FIBA today!
SALDEF spoke to press outlets, pitched stories, and raised awareness on social media (#LetSikhsPlay).
READ: BuzzFeed: The International Basketball Federation is Forcing Sikhs To Take Their Turbans Off.
SALDEF and The Sikh Coalition wrote a letter to FIBA, encouraging the international sports organization to reevaluate their rules to accommodate those whose articles of faith—like the Sikh dastaar— do not impede the game of basketball. FIBA has openly acknowledged the letters and petitions from Sikhs worldwide and said they will hold a committee meeting on August 27, 2014.
SALDEF encourages Sikh Americans to keep up the pressure through petitions (send a message to FIBA) and social media so that FIBA reverses its rules to #LetSikhsPlay.
VRAA Still Not Passed; SALDEF Asks All Sikh Americans to Contact Representative 
This year will mark the 49th year since The Voting Rights Act was signed into law preventing discrimination at the voting booth and ensuring equal protection for all voters. Last year, in Shelby v. Holder, the Supreme Court overturned a central provision of the Voting Rights Act that had protected minority voters in states with a history of discrimination. Without these protections, some states immediately passed stricter laws for voting eligibility including: stringent Voter ID policies, cutting voting poll hours, and ending same-day registration. READ: NBC News: Fall Elections Will Lack Protections for Many READ: Washington Times: A Smart Conservative Way to Update the Voting Rights Act While the Senate has held a hearing on the Voting Rights Protection Act—where SALDEF submitted testimony on behalf of the Sikh American community—Congress has been dragging its feet. The National Commission on Voting Rights released a Voting Discrimination Report a few weeks ago showing a continued pattern of voting discrimination. Take action with other Sikh Americans. Send a letter to your Congressman urging a congressional hearing. Election season is around the corner and we must protect the right to vote for ALL Americans.
Comcast Offers Comp Internet for Low Income Families
On August 4, Comcast announced it will offer up to six months of complimentary service for new families that have not applied for Internet Essentials. Families who are approved for Internet Essentials between August 4 and September 20, 2014 will receive up to six months of Internet service. The program —available in 39 states and the District of Columbia—is designed to help low income families, particularly students have access to technology and important information so that they can succeed in school with homework and so parents can communicate with educators and keep track of student work.
For more information or to apply for the program, visit www.InternetEssentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376, or, for Spanish, visit www.InternetBasico.com or call 1-855-765-6995.