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Summary of Question:	Racism: Is Violence A Solution
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Wednesday, 8/21/2002 12:28 PM MDT

WJKK WJKF

I have a problam concerning racism and hope that you can help me. This affects me personally because it is directed to the small sikh community in our little town. Everyday I go to school and I always here derogatory comments towards sikhs in the halls of our schools and in our classrooms. My parents and teachers told me that the comments would stop at grade 11 and people would grow out of racism and become more mature. But here I am in grade 11 and racism is at the worst state its ever been in. Now instead of saying it behind our backs they come to our faces and threaten us for no reason.

In my case personally not many people do much to me but it is particular worse for a younger sikh kid I know. He is metally disabled and doesn't have a lot of friends and cannot defend himself. He doesn't just get called names he gets beaten just because he looks and acts different! Now I have tried ignoring this problam and trying to channel my anger in to something positive with sports but all I hear in practice is how these racist individuals are going to beat up this sikh kid. Being a sikh myself I cannot stand to hear this type of hatered directed towards a disabled kid. I know that Guru Gobind Sigh Ji, advocated violence when all other means of resolving the problam have failed
butI just dont know where to draw the line. I cant ignore the problam because these comments hurt me as well. I hope you will give me advice because I have talked to many people and all they say is that they will mature although it doesn't seem like it. I truely believe that there is nothing else I can do except fight these people and teach them a lesson. Please give me your advise on this problam.

WJKK WJKF


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Reply:

Wahe Guru Ji ka Khalsa
Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh.

Racism is something that's really difficult to deal with and, unfortunately, it is not true that all people mature out of it. If hatred is learned at a young age, some people will continue with it through life. Especially with today's climate, there is a lot of hatred and anger turned against people in turbans and people of color. You have to follow your conscience on this. First - this younger Sikh kid is your brother and you may not need to fight to defend him, but you need to defend him and keep him from being hurt. You may choose to address this with words, with education - and that may be enough. You may need to bring the school administration into it and that will be enough. Do everything you can to keep these classmates from beating up this younger kid before you make any other decisions. Try everything possible beforehand because there most likely is a solution that does not require you to fight them.

Another thing to realize is that you do have the power to educate people. You don't need to remain silent. And sometimes, the best education is through seva - is just by being serviceful. Is there something that you can do for your school? Some project to organize that allows other people to get involved? Sikhs lead through their service to others and, in doing something of service to your school, it is a very beautiful way to educate about who Sikhs are and to help end the racism.

Aks the Guru's guidance and let your heart show you what's right.

All love,

GPK