The Sikh Coalition: Supporting Sikh Individuals Across the Country

By: Taaran Kaur

Photo Credit: https://www.sikhcoalition.org/

As a response to the discrimination Sikhs have faced in the United States since first arrival, many support organizations for Sikh individuals have been founded. The largest of these, and the most well known, is the Sikh Coalition which was founded on the night of September 11, 2001. Following an immediate rise in violent attacks against Sikh people, volunteers got together to found this community based organization which has grown into a powerful resource for Sikhs across the country.

I had the opportunity to interview a member of the Sikh Coalition as a way to learn more about their work and organization. This representative, who requested to stay anonymous, mentioned that they had joined the organization during the pandemic: "I wanted to find ways to combat hate." That, at its core, is what the Sikh Coalition stands for. "The heart of our work is ensuring that Sikh Americans, and everyone, are able to practice their faith fearlessly, in all avenues of life," they stated. How do they achieve this? “​​We work to create safer schools, prevent hate and discrimination, create equal employment opportunities, empower Sikh communities and educate the American public about the Sikh faith and traditions. We work with community members, policy leaders, and allied organizations to help achieve our objective.”

One of the Sikh Coalition’s more recent successes is the inclusion of the Sikh religion into state curriculum in an effort to educate more students about Sikhs, thereby creating a safer and more inclusive environment at schools. These measures were successful in many states such as New Jersey, New York, and California among others. However, some states proved to be a challenge. For example, in Virginia the process requires many discussions with the Board of Education, reviewing and altering drafts of state standards. Even though it may be difficult, the volunteers are willing to put in the time and effort to help: “the relentless optimism and passion of sangat members make it possible for us to continue engaging and working on the ground to ensure that Sikhism is included into state standards and curricula.”

The organization also documents incidents of hate and harassment against the Sikh community and provides legal support for people experiencing workplace discrimination, among other issues. For example, since the beginning of the pandemic healthcare workers were requesting personal protective equipment that works with their articles of faith. Because most Sikh men keep their beards, the N95 masks commonly used by healthcare workers often do not fit properly, increasing their risk of contracting COVID while treating patients. Additionally, some masks do not work with turbans worn by Sikh men and some Sikh women, as turbans often cover the ears. In order to assist healthcare workers, the Sikh Coalition testified before the United States EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) and provided other legal aid to secure their accommodations.

When asked what their favorite part about being involved is, the representative responded: "My favorite part about being involved is definitely the people I get to work with. Their compassion, love, and thoughtfulness makes the work that much more fulfilling." And, as we can see, the work they are doing is imperative to our community. The Sikh Coalition provides much needed support to Sikhs in the United States and is slowly, but steadily, helping to create a safer and more inclusive community. They are strong proponents of the idea that learning about new cultures and beliefs helps prevent prejudice and bigotry. “It’s important to educate people, including teachers and students, about who Sikhs are and our community’s history in America so that future generations of Americans receive accurate information about their Sikh classmates, colleagues, and neighbors,” the representative stated.