In order to better prepare Sikh youth for the college world, the Sikh Coalition recently delivered 2 workshops for youth in Richmond Hill, Queens on College Preparation. The workshops were well received and encouraged lively discussions amongst the youth on challenges they face when making decisions about college. As a follow up to this discussion, we are organizing a Career Day in Richmond Hill to provide youth an opportunity to meet and engage with Sikh professionals working in fields of their interest.
For further information on how to get involved with this project, please contact Tejpreet Kaur at tejpreet@sikhcoalition.org.
On January 26, 2011, the Sikh Coalition participated in an anti-bullying meeting sponsored by the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The meeting was designed to increase awareness among Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations about federal anti-bullying laws and initiatives. As we accelerate our anti-bullying efforts in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Education, we encourage you and your children to review our anti-bullying resources. If you or your children have faced bullying, teasing, or harassment because of your Sikh identity, please notify us immediately by sending an email to legal@sikhcoalition.org.
Last month, the Sikh Coalition redoubled its efforts to restore the civil rights of Mr. Trilochan Singh Oberoi, who was denied a job with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) because of his Sikh identity. California Attorney Harmeet Kaur Dhillon, who is representing Mr. Oberoi pro bono on behalf of the Sikh Coalition, spoke about his case on MSNBC. In addition, the Sikh Coalition published an essay about the case on the blog of the American Constitution Society, a national public policy organization. Over 30 local, state, and national organizations are supporting Mr. Oberoi's fight against discrimination.
December proved to be a busy month when several Sikh Coalition volunteers led presentations to help educate others on the beauty of Sikhi. Sikh Awareness presentations were conducted at an Immigration Experiences class at Touro College, Manhattan and on a panel discussion at the Queens School of Inquiry. In addition, volunteers led a Sikh-based anti-bullying seminar to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders at P.S. 161 in Queens, NY in addition to telling students about Sikhi. A presentation on Sikh faith and culture was also given to a first grade class at Bear Tavern Elementary School in New Jersey where students were read a Sikh story book, given a patka tying demonstration and tasted a bit of punjabi food and music. Finally, a presentation on both Sikhs and post-9/11 bias was given to the Introduction to Sociology class at Brookdale Community College in New Jersey.
The Coalition thanks these sevadaars for helping to eliminate ignorance about Sikhs through education, and encourages all parents, students, and teachers to do their part. Lesson plans and class presentations can be found here.
