January Advocate

SikhLEAD Internship Deadline Approaching The SikhLEAD Internship Program partners with congressional offices, federal agencies and other DC-based organizations to provide Sikh Americans with unique and enriching internship experiences–from working on communications, advocating for policies, to helping constituents. Interns will have the opportunity to live in DC during the summer, to explore a potential career track, create a network of professional and personal contacts, develop real-world skills, and build confidence during this once in a lifetime experience! As placements are made on a rolling basis, early applicants are given preference in this highly competitive program. Click here to learn more about the SikhLEAD Internship Program. VIDEO: Watch a short film about the SikhLEAD Internship Program SALDEF Releases Groundbreaking Research on Public Perception Last month, SALDEF released the first-ever nationwide public perception assessment of Sikh Americans: “Turban Myths“.  On Dec. 14th, Sikh Americans from across the country gathered at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business where Stanford researchers, working in collaboration with SALDEF, unveiled this groundbreaking research.  Read the full research report here. The report brought out a number of key findings including: *  Roughly 70% of the American public cannot identify a pictured Sikh man as a Sikh; *  About half of the public associate the turban with Islam, and about half think Sikhism is a sect of Islam; *  Anti-turban bias exists even among Americans with a greater understanding of Sikhism; Video: See SALDEF Executive Director Jasjit Singh discuss the research on Comcast Newsmakers Thank You for All Your 2013 Support! With the community’s generous support we met our 2013 year-end fundraising goal to raise $250,000.  SALDEF would like to thank everyone for their generous donations! This money will help us continue our mission of empowering the Sikh American community. We could not do this without your generous support!  You can support our work year round with a monthly recurring donation at www.saldef.org/donate. Learn more about our work in our annual report. SALDEF Continues TSA Trainings On December 23rd SALDEF Northeast Regional Director, Jaswant Chani, conducted another in a series of ongoing Sikh awareness trainings for members of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) office in Chelsea, MA.  The training provided information on the Sikh faith and theology, as well as the challenges facing Sikh Americans. The presentation included the viewing of SALDEF’s training video On Common Ground. This is a continuation of the partnership of several years that SALDEF has had with TSA to train their officers across the Northeast under our Law Enforcement Partnership Program. SALDEF Speaks at SABA-DC Panel Last month, Amrita Singh, SALDEF’s Legal and Legislative Affairs Associate, spoke on a panel about racial profiling, surveillance and hate crimes at the South Asian Bar Association, Washington, DC, (SABA-DC) Civil and Human Rights Symposium at George Washington University (GWU).  The symposium was well attended by GWU law students who were eager to learn more about the work advocacy organizations do on behalf of the communities they serve. Order Sikh American Informational Cards Today! Educate your neighbors, friends, and co-workers about Sikh Americans in an easy, informative way through our newly redesigned Sikh Information Cards. The 2014 Sikh Information Cards are the size of a standard business card and feature full-color images of Sikh Americans, along with examples of core Sikh values and facts about Sikhs in the United States on the front and back of the card.  These new cards are perfect for distribution at your workplace, schools, convenience stores, gas stations, taxi cabs, restaurants, or public libraries. Sikhs across the nation have shared them with their friends, neighbors, customers, and local officials. Spanish Language cards are also available. The cards are available in bundles of 100 for $10 plus shipping and handling fees.  Order yours today. Scholarship Opportunity Available for High School and College Students The International Institute of Gurmat Studies (IIGS) announces three scholarships ($1,000 each) for Sikh Youth who are high school seniors or current college students. The purpose is to award and promote Sikh Youth as they pursue their educational goals. Deadline to receive applications is January 31, 2014. Click here for more details. SALDEF Conducts Sikh Awareness Training for Top Law Firm Last month, SALDEF Executive Director, Jasjit Singh conducted a Sikh Awareness training for approximately 75 lawyers at the Washington DC office of the national law firm, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.  The training included a presentation related to general Sikh principles, practices and challenges in employment settings.   The event included a viewing of PBS’s recent documentary about the 1963 March on Washington.  In addition to sharing legal issues the lawyers may come across in their practice, SALDEF was invited to share the experience of speaking at the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.