There are SIX threads running on this same subject, so I'm going to combine them into one.
-Joe Offer-

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14-Sep-01 - 11:26 AM (#550017) Subject: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attacks From: GUEST,Roselotus@aol.com Greeting Mudcatter, I am a UUSikh and the daily columnist on the most popular Sikh web-site in the World GLOBAL SIKH DAILY NEWS ONLINE at www.sikhe.com. Like an egroup, you must register to be able to read this paper. Thousands of Sikhs read my column everyday, though the last two days I have been too busy to write, working hard gaining UU and other help during this dangerous time instead. As you know, Sikhs, because of our turbans and beards, are being harrassed as terrorists. You will be surprised by GSDNO. Our paper has even helped Gay Sikhs come out (check the Archives). Sikhi is a very liberal religion but Sikhs are very NEW IMMIGRANTS suffering from genocide back home and culture shock here. Anti-Sikh PR has been blasted around the World by the Indian Government since 1984 when Indira Gandhi sent troops in to attack the Sikhs most sacred ground the Golden Temple. Many more than 20,000 people died that day. Strangely Indira Gandhi forgot to fire her Sikh bodyguards..... In recent years everytime liberal Sikhs have tried to do anything liberal, conservative Sikhs and/or Indian Government Agents have stirred up violence in our Gurdwaras, creating more bad Western PR for us. Unitarian Universalists and others can really help by writing love notes and fan mail that I can share with Sikhs everywhere. Remember that Sikhs are an anti-caste movement and PROUD. Please be careful not to talk down or display any class-ism. Sikhs DO NOT EVER BEG or ASK FOR CHARITY. Also please spread information about Sikhi to anyone that can help. Thank you so much - Kamalla Rose Kaur PS - Special THANKS FROM ALL SIKHS TO LINDA ALLEN!!!! From my column, soon to be book: Chapter One THE ROLE OF SIKHI ON THE WORLD'S STAGE What is it about the Sikhs? Why am I so caught up with these people? I can go for months and never see another Sikh, living where I live. My close friends know that I am into this Sikh thing, that I write for Sikhs, that I pray for success as an artist in a Universe Far Far Away called "Sikh Diaspora". Friends and family watch me writing feverishly, playing to a Sikh audience, and it is puzzling and sometimes concerning for them. Given how hard it is to make a living as a writer in this World, kith and kin worry that I am wasting my time, being obsessive and throwing my talents away. Sikh activism does not pay the rent, in other words. And it can be dangerous. Sikhs, on the other hand, understand my obsession with Sikhi and Sikh people completely. Yet it is hard for Sikhs to understand that I much prefer my own Western USA culture over Indian/Punjabi culture. I am merely hooked on the Sikh RELIGION part - which I find to be fully superior and endlessly fascinating. Truly, Sikhi is a great path for Westerners to explore and learn something about. Sikhi and science are highly harmonious worldviews. Sikhi is Universalist, honoring of all Sacred Ways, of all people. Sikhi is feminist and Sikhi fights caste and class, and Sikhi rejects personality cults, and authoritarian hierarchies; among many other virtues. And Sikhs repeatedly prove themselves capable of huge and amazing, unified, acts of righteousness down through their history. The true stories of Sikhs are heart-meltingly inspiring, and Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh path in India, a mere 500 years ago, was one of the sweetest and most powerful human-beings to ever walk on Earth. But still, whether Sikhs can actually change culturally, and back their amazing theology and history up with action in these modern times, seems pretty unlikely right now. For instance, so far, the cyber discussion forums (and all other systems within Sikhi) are completely male dominated. Yes, I DID say that Sikhi is not sexist in dogma. Sikh women are supposed to have equal authority with Sikh men. It is part of the religion, and gender equality within Sikhi is not an issue that is debated much. Yet, out in cyber-community (and everywhere else) I still see little effort by Sikh men to recruit women into their midst and few women are asserting themselves around the men. I am not sure if Sikh men know HOW to encourage women to speak out. And unlike Western forums, Sikh men don't seem embarrassed and self-conscious that they are male dominated - which implies, among other things, that they don't understand how this makes them look to outsiders. "Clueless" as we say here in the States. And, of course, sexism, and the bad public image that comes along with it, isn't Sikhs only problem either. The government of India is Right Wing and caste driven. The Indian Government is reported to be persecuting all minority religions in India right now, including Christians. We aren't hearing any News about any of this here in the USA because the USA does lots of bu$ine$$ with India. Same old story; USA acting as usual. Back in 1984 the Indian Government took troops in and attacked Sikh's most holy ground, the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It was a massacre and Indira Gandhi died as a result of this incident. Can you imagine if the USA government decided to blow up every Jewish Temple and Center in the country one day? Anyone remember WW2 these days? This is one of the many things that Sikhs find frustrating about Westerners. We USAers so conveniently space out history. Sikhs, meanwhile, remember everything. They remember Sikhs fighting the Nazis in defense of the Jews, like it was only yesterday. In truth, it was only 60 years ago. One lifetime. Sikhs think we are insane how we can't remember, and don't care to find out, what happened even one generation ago! It is as if we are on some sort of "denial drug" that allows us to pretend that our government isn't quickly getting as bad as India's Government, or China. Since the 1984 attack and slaughter of Sikhs by the Indian Government, Sikhs have been in an uproar, of course. Sikhs have been steadily streaming out of India and the India Government has infiltrated Sikh politics and temples so heavily in the Punjab that Sikhs in Diaspora no longer trust anything that is happening there. Alcoholism and drug abuse, domestic violence, cults, saints and saviors, and hopelessness is up among Sikhs. Carpetbaggers are everywhere. The younger generation is rebelling against the elders. And lots of people who wear turbans and beards, and say they are Sikhs, aren't keeping the Sikh vows one bit. Yet Sikhs aren't like other people. Sikhs live under a unique set of vows - or they are supposed to at least. Sikhs vow to stay authentic and wholesome and natural and clean, free of alcohol and tobacco etc. Sikhs vow to intercede anytime they see anyone being attacked or oppressed, and a Sikh is under vow to help you if you ask. Sikhi is a warrior path, and Sikhs are famous for their courage in battle, but Sikhs can only fight defensively. They break their vows if they become attackers rather than defenders. And beyond this Sikhs control their sexual energy. They practice chastity, not celibacy. Sikh men hold all women as Sisters and they do not sexually dream about women who are not their mates, which makes them, in theory, fully SAFE around women. Same goes for Sikh women, who vow to resist the urge to romanticize about celebrities and such. All of which is to say that, on a whole, Sikhs are a lot less addicted to fantasy than the rest of us, which is one thing I truly admire about them. Sikhi is also a path where social justice activism is spiritual practice. So in spite of the fact that the problems facing Sikhs seem completely overwhelming, and that it will probably take generations for Sikhs to change, Sikhs and Sikhi still greatly inspire me. But, truthfully, I don't think ANY of us have generations of time to waste on gradual change, given the growing environmental crisis and everything else happening in our World right now. So I can't help but wonder and pray, hoping that Sikhs might actually might pull off another amazing act of righteousness, or two, like they have so often in the past, in front of a full World audience! No one BUT Sikhs seem as likely to do anything of the sort. This is why I write for Sikhs, more than for people of my own culture.

14-Sep-01 - 11:45 AM (#550035) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: Fionn Useful perspective. Sikhi is not my bag, far from it, but it is depressing to realise that there are people around who will now lash at Sikhs (or any other grouping, for that matter) in sheer ignorance. Incidentally do you think Sikhs themselves would be comfortable with the pedestal you seem to put them on? "Yet Sikhs aren't like other people," "...Sikhs might actually might pull off another amazing act of righteousness..." etc?

14-Sep-01 - 01:46 PM (#550093) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: katlaughing Very interesting. Thank you for letting us know more. I, too, would be interested in how you would answer Fionn's question, though. I am always leering of any movement which is touted as above/more righteous than others. kat

14-Sep-01 - 01:49 PM (#550099) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: InOBU Having worked for several years on the case of Ranjit Gill and Shukminder Singh Sandhu, here in New York, I well know about prejudice against Shiks, and their generosity. Stay safe. Pray for peace Larry

14-Sep-01 - 06:35 PM (#550368) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall) Thank you, Kamalla. I've heard mention of Sikhs for a while, but really didn't know anything about them other than them being one group of Indians. Very informative. I'll keep my own faith, but there are certainly good values that you've mentioned that one would hope are present in people of all faiths. Rich

14-Sep-01 - 10:17 PM (#550507) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: Dicho Every Middle Eastern and Indian subcontinent emigrant here could be subject to harassment by the ignorant. Many people feel threatened by anyone who is "different." The Sikhs I have encountered in my city range all the way from "blackjack" (non-practising) to devout, from poor to quite wealthy, in other words differing only in religion. There has been strife between the conservatives and liberals among the Sikhs in the Vancouver area, presumably because the conservatives are still tied too closely to events in India, but little here. Does your site have a section for informing non-Sikhs of issues important to Sikhs? I will have to look at your site.

14-Sep-01 - 10:22 PM (#550510) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: GUEST,Lepus Rex (HOW did I lose my cookie? Grr...) roselotus@aol.com, well, I signed up at sikhe.com. Good information, but depressing to see how many attacks on Sikhs have been reported. Thanks. ---Lepus Rex

15-Sep-01 - 10:48 PM (#551196) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: InOBU At the rally site at Union Sq. there are reports by the Shik community of attacks and even two deaths in Flushing - where bigots have killed Shiks thinking they are Arabs. This is horrific. Try to get the word out to stop this madness. Larry

15-Sep-01 - 11:16 PM (#551224) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: Paul from Hull Oh, Hell......*sigh*

19-Sep-01 - 03:38 AM (#553760) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: GUEST,Genie refresh

19-Sep-01 - 10:23 AM (#553930) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: Fortunato We Americans have now the opportunity to do what we should have done long ago. We must cast off our parochialism and learn to know the great religions of the world. At the heart of them all is God, though called many different names, God is God. Namaste. Chance

19-Sep-01 - 10:43 AM (#553953) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: WYSIWYG Good info is posted IN THIS THREAD. ~S~

22-Sep-01 - 01:15 AM (#556434) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: GUEST,Arjay These ignorant, bigoted, atrocious attacks have got to stop. When will we ever learn...

23-Sep-01 - 12:15 AM (#556825) Subject: RE: Help: Sikhs Accept Help Against Racist Attack From: GUEST You are right, Arjay...... Lets hope we DO learn, & SOON..... After all, the World is potentially at a MAJOR turning point at the moment

23-Sep-01 - 09:25 AM (#556951) Subject: SIKHS TAKING A STAND From: GUEST,Kamalla Rose Kaur GLOBAL SIKH DAILY NEWS Misl-USA Knock On The Door THE TEST AHEAD FOR SIKH AMERICANS Deshdeepak Singh Sat Sep 22 The Sikhs of America have undergone a profound retooling in the wake of the events of September 11. Gone is any illusion that Sikhs can live in America without informing and educating other Americans about their religion, its practices, symbols, and beliefs. The recent rash of assaults against Sikh, Arab and Muslim Americans, resulting from a racially-driven backlash to the WTC and Pentagon attacks, has forced these communities to circle their wagons and assume a defensive posture - a necessary and appropriate response to the at-large circumstances that must be continued for as long as the violence persists. In addressing this situation, Sikh Americans have done their utmost to ensure that the media - both print and television - responsibly address and condemn racially driven harassment and attacks against members of the Sikh, Arab and Muslim American communities. In defining themselves to the media, Sikh Americans have sought to do so by affirmation - by declaring who they are, rather than by negation - stating what religion they are not. This has been done not only to convey as much information as possible about Sikhs, but to also avoid the implication that it is acceptable to attack those whom we are distancing ourselves from. Much of the focus of the media's coverage of Sikhs has been the victimization they have endured as a result of the backlash, yet there has been a significant and notable Sikh contribution to the rebuilding and rescue efforts that has not been emphasized, either by Sikh Americans or the media - which seems more comfortable presenting Sikhs as victims rather than magnanimous and valuable American citizens. In the absence of any semblance of a long-term strategy, our short-term efforts to defend our community from assault may become the only way we deal with a problem that may plague us for several years. Is it the Sikh way to deal with adversity and danger by constantly bemoaning our own fate while our cities smolder and thousands have died and others endure similar harassment? No, it certainly is not. But by no means do I suggest that we not take the media and the authorities to task for racially driven violence against Sikhs. Defending Sikh Americans from harm is a paramount concern, but by no means should it be the only one. However, we are a country on the brink of war and many more will certainly die. Will we continue to address the difficulties we may face in the future with self-absorption as American soldiers give up their lives for our country? What the Sikh American community must do is to realistically assess what the future holds. It is almost certain that the United States is going to wage a war of some sort or another. How will Sikh Americans negotiate these times ahead and the prospect that Middle Eastern men, many with turbans and beards, may appear on the news night after night fighting against American soldiers? How will the Sikh American community be able to get out its message of solidarity, service and support when, in the face of American military casualties, the media ceases to be interested in our self-obsessed concerns for our own safety? The only long-term strategy for the Sikh American community that will allow them to remain true to Khalsa ideals must be a long period of Subh Karman - righteous deeds. Subh Karman can take the form of rendering support - both material and spiritual - to the fabric, government and other wrongly persecuted communities of our country. Subh Karman means getting out of our comfort zones to do what must be done for others and not just ourselves. Sikhs should share their spiritual strength with other Americans by holding evening Rehras and Kirtan in parks and other visible public locations (as weather permits), one night Rehras can be recited in Punjabi, the next night in English. Small langars or drinks can also be distributed. Sikhs should participate in and organize interfaith events such as fund-raisers, candlelight vigils, walk-a-thons, prayer meetings, community councils and coat-drives in the winter. Every Gurudwara in the country should organize an open house and invite members from their local area to attend. Gurudwaras should also be actively engaged in providing food to homeless shelters and extending domicile and nourishment to all people and not just Sikh immigrants. Let the American public know that a Sikh Gurudwara is haven for all, regardless of race or creed, and they will treasure them. Sikhs should also openly share the universal teachings of the Guru Granth Sahibji Maharaj by putting tuks (quotes) in newspapers, magazine ads and by writing and submitting articles on its teachings so that everyone can experience the same upliftment and joy Sikhs do. Sikhs must appear on television extending their chardi-kala spirit to all. Sikhs will need to be open and extroverted about the teachings of their faith, they must serve the spiritual hunger of Americans by sharing Sikhi with all. Media coverage resulting from these sorts of activities will present the Sikhs as a proactive, generous and gregarious community that is more concerned with serving others than itself. The potential to uplift fellow Americans and to mould a more righteous nation as it faces a trying time is unlimited. Sikh Americans must also be in the vanguard of defending innocent Arab and Muslim men, women and children from harm. They must condemn and protest racially motivated attacks and harassment without reservation and must be as vigilant about the civil liberties of others as their own. Sikh attorneys should take the initiative to represent members of other communities who cannot afford their own legal counsel on a pro bono basis in cases dealing with civil liberties violations. Groups dealing with discrimination and harassment of innocent Americans must have a strong Sikh presence. Let the American public know that the Sikhs are a righteous people who exist to serve and fight for the rights of others. Materially, Sikhs must be prepared to support the war effort. This can be done a number of ways. Efforts to allow Sikhs to enter the military with their turbans and beards must be undertaken. Every Sikh, with their Saroop or not, who wishes to join the military to serve should make an effort to do so. Sikhs who are refused because of their turbans and beards must contact Sikh organizations committed to lobbying for their entry. These individuals can also contact the media to take up their cause and to let the American public know that Sikh Americans are also very willing to pay their fair share and give shaheeds - as every other American immigrant community has done - in order to ensure the future of the United States. Sikh doctors, engineers, and scientists must be prepared to make individual sacrifices and contribute through non-military duties. Sikhs must be very visible and apparent sources of moral support by contacting their Congressmen and asking them what their communities can do to help. Sikh businesses must create significant business ties with American agencies, contractors and companies involved in the war effort and Sikh labor should be supplied to their factories. What Sikh Americans must realize is that by living in this country, we are participating in its benefits and these benefits have not come cheaply. Whether or not we agree with the current government, our presence in this country indicates that we agree with the idea behind America - its unparalleled freedom, opportunity and potential. Consequently, the burden of protecting and supporting the idea of America falls to us as much as it falls to anyone else. Sikhs contributed greatly to keeping Britain free from German occupation during two world wars. During Word War I, in the Battle of Lausanne alone, 60,000 Sikhs died and over the course of two world wars, 100,000 Sikhs became shaheeds. The righteousness of these wars is debatable, but it is beyond debate that these shaheeds died and fought not for themselves but for those who would follow them and their Dharam. Yes, Sikh youth might end up paying a heavy price for the debt that American foreign policy and Middle Eastern terrorism have accrued - but since when have Sikhs not been willing to carry the burdens of others? Sikhs Americans must also realize that by portraying or emphasizing ourselves as a self-absorbed and fearful community that has little concern for contributing to what is occurring outside of it, we risk leaving this situation worse off than where we came in. Are these the hallmarks of a noble Panth, do they elicit respect and admiration from others? If we succeed, however, in demonstrating the true character of Sikhs - courageousness, generosity, compassion and a tremendous sense of service - to America by asking not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for it, then we shall surely come out of our current crisis a stronger, more empowered and worthy Panth whose contributions to safeguarding the idea of America, nurturing its spiritual underpinnings and protecting other innocent Americans from attack will never be forgotten. History lies before us unwritten and unknown, will the Sikhs of America demonstrate that they are a great people or will they retreat into the dark recesses of the times ahead? Deshdeepak Singh is an United Sikhs in Service to America (USSA) representative and can be contacted at USA Telephone number 516-996-5039; email: deshdeepak_@hotmail.com (deshdeepak_@hotmail.com). Back to: Today Any Comment ? | Submit An Article or News | Suggestions Copyright ©2001 sikhe.com

23-Sep-01 - 10:06 AM (#556968) Subject: RE: SIKHS TAKING A STAND From: The Shambles What has happened here

23-Sep-01 - 09:30 AM (#556953) Subject: BUSH MEETS WITH SIKHS From: GUEST,KRK- Sikh Foundation, Palo Alto CA News Sikh Representative Invited To Meet President Bush At The White House In Inter-Faith Meeting Sikhe.com Sat Sep 22 USA, Washington -- Member of the Board, National Conference of Community and Justice and past President of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, Dr. Rajwant Singh, met American President George Bush Thursday September 20, 2001. Sardar Rajwant Singh, along with about twenty-five clerics, ranging from Roman Catholic cardinals in black-and-white collars to a saffron robed Tibetan Buddhist, was invited to meet the President to exchange views on the current situation. President Bush welcomed his "Sikh brother" and said, "his heart goes out to the Sikh community" because of the recent attacks on them. Bush and his aides became particularly emotional when Dr. Singh shared with them the story of Kulwant Singh who, after his 3-year-old child was hit with a firebomb thrown into his house, said "I'll always enjoy my American freedom but I'll do it with a turban on my head." Dr. Singh informed the gathering that "this represents the feeling of all the Sikhs who would even offer their lives to defend this freedom" and urged the President and his aides to help get the word out that Sikhs are from Punjab and that they wear turbans and keep their beards because of their religion, not because of Arab culture. Invited to make a statement to the press along with five other representatives, Dr. Singh stated "This is what's needed in America today. Even though my community has been attacked because of turbans and beards - people feel we are somehow related or associated with Osama bin Laden - the sense of assurance we have gotten from President Bush is just amazing." Dr. Singh points out that this meeting was the result of 10 years of work with other religious communities which must be continued to spread the word of Sikhism and erase ignorance. Back to: Today Any Comment ? | Submit An Article or News | Suggestions Copyright ©sikhe.com

23-Sep-01 - 10:05 AM (#556966) Subject: RE: BUSH MEETS WITH SIKHS From: The Shambles What has happened here

23-Sep-01 - 10:39 AM (#556984) Subject: RE: BUSH MEETS WITH SIKHS From: GUEST,Kamalla Rose Kaur What is happening? Well I am busy helping Sikhs, so I am only sharing HERE on the MUDCAT CAFE (and with my personal activist friends, of course). If you all are supportive, then spread these posts to friends and Liberal PRESS and keep the Threads at the top of the MUDCAT CAFE. I can only post once a day, at most. So disappear me and I will move to another location. - KRK From: Prabhjit Singh Date: Sat Sep 22, 2001 4:31 am Subject: Details of the Bush meeting with a Sikh On Thursday September 20, 2001, Dr. Rajwant Singh, President of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, met with President Bush for 45 minutes. He, along with two dozen clerics, ranging from Roman Catholic cardinals in black-and-white collars and a saffron robed Tibetan Buddhist, were invited to meet the President because the President was seeking their advice on the current situation. Bush welcomed Dr. Singh as his "Sikh brother" and said that "his heart goes out to the Sikh community" because of the recent series of attacks on them. Dr. Singh informed the President that the number of attacks exceed 200. While talking to the President Dr. Singh said, "we have been made target because of our outer appearance, but still we pray for you, your family, the cabinet and the Nation. We feel that during these testing moments we need to come together instead of being divided." Bush and his aides became particularly emotional when Dr. Singh recited the story of Kulwant Singh to them. After his 3 year old child was hit with a fire bomb thrown into his house, Kulwant Singh made a statement: "I'll always enjoy my American freedom but I'll do it with a turban on my head." Dr. Singh said that "this represents the feeling of all the Sikhs and they would even offer their lives to defend this freedom". Dr. Singh urged the President and his aides to help get the word out that Sikhs are from Punjab, India and they wear turbans and keep their beards because of their religion, not because of Arab culture. The President assured Dr. Singh that he is very serious about protecting the lives of the Sikhs in U.S. Dr. Singh also brought up the point of what Congressman Cooksey (http://www.theadvocate.com/news/story.asp?storyID=24605) said about diaperheads. Bush called the statement made by the Congressman "pathetic" and "they were going to take care of it". Lastly, Dr. Singh expressed that Bush should highlight the point that America will seek justice, not revenge (as he had implied in some earlier statements). In the end, the personal secretary of the Bush singled Dr. Singh out of the group and thanked him for coming. He was chosen to make a statement to the press with 5 other religious leaders outside the oval office in the Roosevelt room. He said: "This is what's needed in America today. Even though my community has been attacked because of turbans and beards - people feel we are somehow related or associated with Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) - the sense of assurance we have gotten from President Bush is just amazing." (wire.ap.org) Dr. Singh tells the Sikh community that "this meeting was the result of 10 years of work with other religious communities and we must continue to work with them to spread the word of Sikhism and erase ignorance." Replies

23-Sep-01 - 11:46 AM (#557027) Subject: RE: BUSH MEETS WITH SIKHS From: The Shambles What is happening? Well I am busy helping Sikhs, so I am only sharing HERE on the MUDCAT CAFE (and with my personal activist friends, of course). If you all are supportive, then spread these posts to friends and Liberal PRESS and keep the Threads at the top of the MUDCAT CAFE. Dear Rose The above post is a link to a thread where you will find many views about the sort of threads and their number, on the Mudcat forum, which is largely a music forum.

22-Sep-01 - 07:37 AM (#556536) Subject: CHARDI KAALA POWER From: GUEST CHARDI KAALA POWER Kamalla Rose Kaur I guess I have to believe in "POWERS", mysterious gifts of the SPIRIT(s), because I have a gift or two that some people have and some people don't. We all do. For me it is that I can see things from the audience perspective. I can easily track the way USAers and the Khalsa Panth, and many Black Americans, or the uptight rich ladies in the up-class shops everywhere might read my writing, and interpret it. I read everything written, simultaneously feeling, the diversity in the audience sway and shift and flow. That is when it is very sweet. Otherwise what a curse of a gift to live with! "OH, no....not that, you didn't say that? Did you? In front of a World audience?" I have had that reaction to things I have said. I have had that reaction to things Bush has said too. How can we protect ourselves from blurting out the wrong thing and making big mistakes when we all long to be at our best in the face of a potential of creating World World 3? CHARDI KAALA POWER is my methodology. "AURGH! OK, OK, I hear you! I am sorry!" Can you hear my Sikh audience? CHARDI KAALA POWER is the Sikh methodology. It means "Our spirits are rising!" or "Keep faith and hold high ideals and happy trust in the Cosmic Plan!" or "Don't worry, be happy!" It is a state of being. And practically and pragmatically speaking, it also means that Sikhs and friends of the Sikhs might like to buy Linda Allen's CDs (they ought to be in the stores) and check out who Flip Breskin is. Explore Dya Singh and Vikram (from the Animals) and Singh Kaur's CDs! And send "Thank You" notes. THAT was my Mother speaking. She was the master of the "Thank You Note"; how powerful she was too! Imagine whole Sikh congregations (do not SPAM) writing "Love Notes" to Linda Allen. How will she feel? She might even call Pete Seeger or Matthew Fox or Joanne Macy or Starhawk to share her delight with them! She might actually make some money from CD sales! That would be so very nice. I have been praying for Linda's success ever since I first met her. She is an inspiration and her songs are teachings and many, many of them are very easy to sing along with. Expressing this sort of appreciative POWER will come back at Sikhs too of course. "Thank you! We have been waiting for you!" might be the response, or even the cheer! CHARDI KAALA POWER is about praising what we admire in others. No need for flattery and faking it. Why would I want to associate with people that I find difficult to PRAISE? Sikhi teaches to "Keep the company of the enlightened, or the faithful." And show appreciation for all the true blue and sincere people all around us today and all the people mobilized and mobilizing to declare PEACE on the whole Earth! Bless them and PRAISE THEM! Then get out there and hold solidarity with CHARDI KAALA POWER pumping your blood and please don't try to avoid this most famous (perhaps) of Linda Allen's great song/teachings. Linda is completely right, we got - "Hard Work To Do." By Linda Allen www.lindasongs.com Well, people, these are hard times, 'Bout the hardest I have known. And the headlines in the paper Sometimes chill me to the bone. And we look for easy answers Some new words to see us through, But it's a thin disguise Until you recognize That there is hard work to do. Chorus: You can believe in Jesus Or God on high, Believe in me As I believe in you. Believe in the light At the end of the tunnel But there's hard work to do. Hard work to do Hard work to do Put your faith in the future And your hand on the plough 'Cause there is hard work to do. Well some are going to tell you They've got the answer to your pain Just sign the dotted line my friend And you'll never have to think again. So beware of politicians, Bible Hucksters and Gurus. Don't give your power away, Let your heart lead the way, 'Cause there is hard work to do. Chorus: You can believe in Jesus Or God on high, Believe in me As I believe in you. Believe in the light At the end of the tunnel But there's hard work to do. Hard work to do Hard work to do Put your faith in the future And your hand on the plough 'Cause there is hard work to do. Listen to this song online! Linda Allen - Discography www.lindasongs.com

22-Sep-01 - 11:43 AM (#556633) Subject: RE: CHARDI KAALA POWER From: GUEST,Kamalla Rose Kaur Support our USA Sikhs! Sunday September 23 11am-1pm Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara 4919 61st Street NE Marysville, WA 360 657 4155 Contact people - Attorney Satwant S. Pandher 425 259 0108 Kamalla Rose Kaur - Roselotus@aol.com The Sikh Foundation Chairs will be available for elders and others who can not manage floor sitting. Bring a Middle Eastern style scarf, or tie a turban , or use the head-coverings provided by the Gurdwara. Langar (Sikh sacred feast, which breaks all Indian caste taboos dramatically and deliciously) will be served directly after this Gurdwara service. ******************* Tim and Melanie, music directors of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship send their regrets on behalf of the BUF Choir (excellent choir....yes!). They will be busy with our own local UU Fellowship Worship Services, Sunday morning. UU PRAYER #494 UU Hymnal by W.E.B. DuBoss The prayer of our souls is a petition for persistence, not for the one good deed, or a single thought, but deed on deed, and thought on thought, until day calling day shall make a life worth living. Linda Allen will be in Oregon this weekend and regrets not being able to sing a song in Maryville tomorrow. She greatly enjoyed participating at the Whatcom Gurdwara Solidarity event this last week. Feel free to check her itinerary from her website. Linda sends this song to Sikh women (especially) everywhere. It too can be listened to over the internet on Linda's web-site. www.lindasongs.com LAY IT DOWN My young son-came through the door He was crying like I never heard before His friend Tim - had taunted him And the hateful words lay scattered on the floor. And I said: Lay it down, Lay it down Let my breast be your pillow Lay it Down Lay it down, Lay it down There is comfort in my arms, Lay it down. The man I love was on the phone He said, "Honey, I am weary to my bones You know I try, but dreams can die So keep the light burning, love. I'm coming home" And I said: Lay it down, Lay it down Let my breast be your pillow Lay it Down Lay it down, Lay it down There is comfort in my arms, Lay it down. The family's gone- I'm all alone And the sound of my own heart is getting strong And I know regret- things I can't forget I cry "God help me find my way back home!" And She said: Lay it down, Lay it down Let my breast be your pillow Lay it down Lay it down, Lay it down There is comfort in my arms, Lay it down.

23-Sep-01 - 09:19 AM (#556949) Subject: RE: CHARDI KAALA POWER From: GUEST,KRK Column Global Sikh Daily News www.sikhe.com The Kamalla Rose Kaur Column Things not talked about in the USA Kamalla Rose Kaur Fri May 18 Seems to me that Communism, Socialism and Capitalism have been pretty well tested in this World, and I don't know about you, but it is clear to me that European style Socialism works the best of these three systems! Idealistic Communism is better than humans seem able to be, and Authoritarian Communism has proved WAY horrible, and almost as bad for the Earth's ecology as Capitalism! Pure Capitalism is pure evil. Now I have done it. I have just said something that is very, very taboo in my country. I have "come out" as a Socialist. Don't try this at your next USA party. It is a real conversation shocker. People in the USA do not speak about Communism or Socialism anymore except to spout the party line. The propaganda has Americans believing there are only 2 systems, there is Capitalist/Freedom and USA superiority and patriotism, and then there is Communism/Socialism/liberalism. Thus we might say, ala the recent Clinton era: "Why can't we have a single-payer health plan?" but nobody is going to use the word "Socialism". Truth is there have been a whole lot of Socialist uprisings in the USA; the last one was so big we simply call it "The 60s". They have all been VIOLENTLY put down by the Military Industrial Complex. So it isn't safe to call yourself a "liberal" in the USA. Yet there are many many liberals here. The last USA election proved that there are more liberals than there are conservatives. And Nader was our radically liberal candidate and he did pretty well. So we know there are quite a few "radical" liberals too, the sort of people who would vote for a social activist like Ralph Nader! Mind you in the UK Nader would probably be considered a moderate sort of liberal, not a radical at all. Again those Europeans Socialists and Canadians seem pretty balanced in their views on these sorts of issues but it isn't like that here in the USA where the words "liberal", "Communism" and "Socialism" are rarely uttered these days. And we just had an illegal election. My whole life the USA has been doing stuff I haven't approved of one bit. Power hungry, greedy, racist, Baboons seem to run my country. I had a friend during the Vietnam War who made a whole lot of money betting on what the USA would do next in that conflict. He was almost always right in his predictions. He seemed to have an almost magically way of being able to predict what the USA would do next in that icky war. What was his secret? "I just sit down and try to imagine what is the WORST possible thing the USA could possibly do, and then I bet that we will do exactly that!" Try it! Study USA Foreign Policy, now that the USA has a CIA Puppet President in place, and bank on the bad guys winning in the USA for a spell here. Until the next USA Socialist uprising, that is; which may be already starting, but nobody is talking about that either. Kamalla Rose Kaur is USA born, of Irish descent, and embraced Sikhism in 1972, at age 18. She tried everything for over twenty years, including frantic practice of Yoga, until she learned "why Sikhs are so adament about having the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as their only Guru." Kamalla Rose is a professional writer, theater director, workshop and seminar leader, publicist, events planner and singer. Her column appears every Saturday. The author welcomes comments and feedback: Love&Light@sikhe.com Back to: Today Any Comment ? | Submit An Article or News | Suggestions Copyright ©2001 sikhe.com

23-Sep-01 - 10:07 AM (#556970) Subject: RE: CHARDI KAALA POWER From: The Shambles What has happened here

23-Sep-01 - 10:09 AM (#556972) Subject: RE: CHARDI KAALA POWER From: GUEST,Kamalla Rose Kaur From - GLOBAL SIKH DAILY NEWS The Kamalla Rose Kaur Column The End of the War Between the Sexes Kamalla Rose Kaur Fri June 22 Sisters of the World we salute you! You have won the War Between The Sexes fair and square. Congratulations on being our heroes! Sisters of the World, we salute you! Women have won the, much publicized, War Between The Sexes in all areas of morality and ethics, religion and community service, leadership and diplomacy. Women pray more then men. Women meditate more than men. Women attend church and temples more than men and women create more charities. Women have a much better crime record than men, women murder less, rape far less, and women start far fewer wars than men. Women misuse power far less than men do and women chase after sex and money far less as well. Women desert their children less than men and women have over and over again been great heroes in times of great struggle; seeking no recognition, and receiving none. As many women as men on Earth have obtained spiritual enlightenment, yet women have stayed quiet and humble about this truth. Very few women are interested in being the Alpha Male of any group; women like to create community, and many men, seemingly, still enjoy authoritarian hierarchies. Women have won the competition for high ethical achievement. And many women express the desire to see good men's happy, full-hearted surrender and the official end to the Gender Wars! An estimated half of all men in the World love and respect women. These men are rooting for women, and they are impressed and humbled that women desire only equal power and authority with men, when women have proved themselves SUPERIOR in leadership qualities Worldwide. The rest of the World's men are trying to impress each other. These men are showing off to men. They do not care about women or what women think or feel. But why have the good men, all the men who love women, failed to notice and applaud women's very impressive victory? Why have good men everywhere failed to officially surrender and happily accept defeat in The War Between The Sexes? Why isn't there a much larger World men's movement to establish women into equal power and authority with men? Some women assume that men aren't celebrating women's victory in The War Between The Sexes, because even good men are bad losers. Some women think that the reason good men don't celebrate women is because men are stupider than women. Many suspect womb envy, of course. But ultimately this question. "where are all the good men?" will not matter. Women can celebrate women's victory in the Gender Wars starting NOW. And the men who want to celebrate too are invited to join with the women everywhere. Such men, few or many, will be vastly popular with the Sisterhood! Congratulations women everywhere! The War Between The Sexes is won! Women have shown superiority over men in all areas of ethics and leadership. Sing praises for women the whole World around. Congratulations to Humanity's Sisterhood! The Genders Wars are over! Women have won, fair and square! Kamalla Rose Kaur is USA born, of Irish descent, and embraced Sikhism in 1972, at age 18. She tried everything for over twenty years, including frantic practice of Yoga, until she learned "why Sikhs are so adament about having the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as their only Guru." Kamalla Rose is a professional writer, theater director, workshop and seminar leader, publicist, events planner and singer. The author welcomes comments and feedback: Love&Light@sikhe.com Back to: Today Any Comment ? | Submit An Article or News | Suggestions Copyright ©2001 sikhe.com

23-Sep-01 - 10:20 AM (#556976) Subject: RE: CHARDI KAALA POWER From: CarolC I hate to say it, but this stuff is beginning to look like spam. Are you looking for converts, customers, or both?

23-Sep-01 - 10:34 AM (#556980) Subject: RE: CHARDI KAALA POWER From: Jeri SikhSpam Sorry, Kamalla, but you're alienating people by spamming. This is primarily a music site and you seem to be attempting to glut the forum with your own agenda. A link to the articles - fine. Posting a couple - fine. Multiple copies of very long messages in multiple threads is spam and is very impolite. Perhaps you could simply invite us to join http://sikhe.com?

23-Sep-01 - 10:39 AM (#556982) Subject: RE: CHARDI KAALA POWER From: catspaw49 Rosw, if you could limit all of your information to the original thread, it would be much better. Multiple threads on the same topic DO smack of spamming, especially in light of the subject matter. Spaw

23-Sep-01 - 11:23 AM (#557012) Subject: RE: CHARDI KAALA POWER From: Rana@work Rose, It is obviously an upsetting time for you (as it is for many if not all), and you need to talk, I'm sure. But please take heed of what people have suggested above and in all the other threads. If you have a new article to refer to, just post a link or reference in one thread (even if it isn't on music - I'm sure people will tolerate here at this time). Continuing to post as you are will only put people off and the message will be lost. If you need to talk to people, discuss the situation with people in the the Bay area - maybe with my cousins Raj and Kiki (whom I'm sure you'll know, since they are Dr. Kapany's children - yes he is my Uncle). Regards Rana

23-Sep-01 - 10:06 AM (#556967) Subject: Rose's Long Strange Trip From: GUEST,Kamalla Rose Kaur It Is Weird Being a UUSikh Kamalla Rose Kaur My son, Harpal, age 11, tells me that I am weird several times a day. I get a little sensitive, "Am I weird or did I simply end up with an unusually weird life? It could happen to you too, you know!" I was raised on a University Campus, the only daughter of scholarly parents, both in love with the art of being teachers. I attended an experimental elementary school on the campus of the University where my Dad taught in the Education and Psychology Departments. My parent's many professor friends were my pseudo-Uncles all around me, and I had many emancipated and powerful Aunts too! At Campus School the teachers were working on several levels. They were teaching 25 kids per class, as well as training 4 or 5 student-teachers in the classroom. And they were often lecturing in the Education Department as well. When this got tiring for them, there was an ocean of University professors who clearly enjoyed having a troop of young kids skip over to their classrooms, or labs, to learn something about electricity, or potter's wheels, or basketball, or how concert organs are built, and much more. This magical, enriched, paradise childhood was rudely dispelled when I entered the USA public school system at puberty. It was 1966 and instantly, age 11, kids coming from the Campus School were, despite our youth, perceived to be Leftist Radicals, and soon, Hippies. This was fine with me. Back then I had no problem seeing myself as a Leftest Radical and a Hippy. My only problem was that most of the adults in my Middle School and later, many of adults in my High School clearly didn't like Hippies one bit! The war was on. Thankfully it was also in 1966 that I found the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship which became my guiding light, security, and inspiration through the social upheaval and strife taking place in these un-United States, 1966-1973. Despite this UU support, by age 18 (1973) I was pretty burnt-out; defeated and scared, and fried, as were Hippies everywhere. Contemplating the mega-resources the Military-Industrial-Complex was pouring into killing liberalism, and also gazing into a future of being a destitute activist artist in the USA, I suddenly took the path of the spiritual renunciate. Shocking my family and UU community, I joined an Eastern religion, Sikhi, and moved into an Ashram. Or at least I thought I was a Sikh. I had no way to perceive, back then, that most Sikhs would say that I was a member of a Hindu-ish group, following yet another self-proclaimed Saint, merely calling ourselves Sikhs. Thus during my 20s and 30s my most pressing concern was whether I could manage to awaken and rise at 3:30am, take a cold shower, and then do fanatic yoga and meditation practice for 3 or 4 hours- each and every day. I fasted a lot. I wore all white clothes, at all times, and I taught very popular, large, yoga classes and did lots of public speaking in the Bay Area CA. I was married to a fellow Yogi Sikh, a Semiconductor Engineer working in a start-up company, 50-60 hours a week, in Silicon Valley. And after his company went public, I got to experience having money! I raised two very talented and successful daughters, home-schooling them quite a lot, and towards the end of those two decades I went back to University in Religious Studies. Then I had Harpal, an eleven pound baby, birthed at home. Soon after this powerful event I wrote the series of articles that got me kicked out of the pseudo-Sikh spiritual organization that I had been part of for almost 20 years. I got kicked out because I had finally let myself see the truth that my former spiritual teacher was a conman and crook and that my spiritual organization was a cover for organized crime. I am proud to say that I remained Unitarian Universalist and Sikh enough to NOT take this news quietly and serenely! Of course, I received "The Phone Call" where my family and I were threatened with harm by my former teacher's highly trained bodyguards. Thus I came to understand that I had joined a cult and that I was in danger. After that, I went through an ugly divorce and I had a nervous breakdown. I lost everything for a spell: my children, the money, status, my community and support system, my self-esteem and my faith. I retreated again, this time to a small non-profit healing center outside of Washington DC where I taught classes and designed multi-cultural events, and did a whole lot of healing. I was laying low and being quiet- not giving my X-teacher any reason to worry about me and my big mouth. I studied Tibetan Buddhism and let Sikhi go. In Spring of 1998 I returned to my hometown to makes amends to my Mother and be with her during her last months. After my Dad's death in 1987, my Mother discovered the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship too, and she threw herself into church service. Mom was the Fellowship's Board President during a difficult time and she did an excellent job. She ran the Great Books discussions groups and rarely ever missed a Circle Dinner. Since my return to the "Real World" and my hometown, I have been embraced in love and acceptance by my UU Fellowship- as an artist, and as someone going through tremendous culture shock, and as a daughter standing beside her brilliant and independent Mother through an intense time of sickness- 10 hospitalizations in 20 months. And recently the UU Fellowship has deeply mourned Mom's death with me. Am I still in danger? My former spiritual teacher, his henchmen and lawyers are still at large and prospering. But I feel very safe because UUs and Sikhs have adopted me. These two religious traditions are BIG, and that cult is little. And these two liberal traditions, Sikhi and Unitarian Universalism, have taught me about social justice as spiritual practice since leaving the cult. They have filled me with courage and they have empowered me. You may not think of the Sikh religion as being a liberal tradition but it is! Sadly, however, it is a liberal tradition that is having huge troubles right now, and getting lots of negative PR in the West. Yet 500 years ago, a poet-musician named Nanak put on half Muslim clothes and half Hindu clothes and set off walking all over Indian, and into the Middle East, teaching and singing about Universalism. Nanak was a troubadour and he believed deeply that humans can live in peace, even when our beliefs are as different as Islam and Hinduism! And Guru Nanak (as he came to be known) was fundamentally and actively against the caste system and he fought for women's rights. He passed his Guru-ship down to his low-caste servant. Ironically for me, Nanak was also very adamently against doing extreme yogic practices like I used to do and teach. Nanak taught that we should sing praises to the Creation/Creator, and it doesn't matter one whit what religion we follow. Just open our hearts and minds in Love, and do service for all beings. The Sikh lineage of Gurus was passed down for 10 generations.Then Guru Gobind Singh, the last of the embodied Sikh Gurus, concluded that the human Guru-disciple relationship was not, ultimately, a good thing. (Again, ironically, I had to learn this for myself, the hard way!) So Guru Gobind Singh transferred the Sikh Guru-ship to the Sikh scripture and to the Sikh congregation. The Sikh scripture is called "The Siri Guru Granth Sahib" and it is a collection of Nanak's songs, and the ecstatic poetry of other Gurus in the Sikh lineage. It also includes beautiful writings of Hindu and Muslim Saints, making it a truly Universalist scripture. Historically Sikhs took up the sword against the Muslim Inquisition in India, quite dramatically and successfully, and thus Sikhs became known and acclaimed for being some of the greatest warriors in the World. In more modern times, when Gandhi was still in South Africa, Sikhs were already practicing non-violent resistance to British rule in India. And to establish peace between Hindus and Muslims, Sikhs allowed the boundary of Pakistan and India to go through Sikh territory at the time of Partition. Since 1984, when the Indian Government troops attacked and demolished much of the Sikh's most Holy and Sacred Ground, the Golden Temple, Sikhs everywhere have been in a bit of an uproar and panic. Sikhs say that the present government in India is Fundamentalist Hindu in nature, caste-driven, and that it is persecuting all minority religions in India right now, even Christians. Sikhs also say that Western business interests are supporting this corrupt government completely. So I am off to speak at, and participate in, a week-long Sikh roundtable discussion in California! And my writings on Sikhi are being used for discussion and debate by Sikh University students in India. I have also designed a Sikh Conference on Gender that is being produced in the Punjab soon. I am a columnist for Sikh's most popular Online Newspaper, the most visited Sikh site in the World. All this, because of this little article I recently wrote for a Sikh political newspaper, which then got published on the Web, and which spread like wild-fire: Prem Ki Jit! by Kamalla Rose Kaur Far as I can see Sikhi is pretty much the only major religion in this World (besides UUism, of course) that is Universalist, non-sexist, not-racist, anti-caste and class, and set up, by Guru Gobind Singh, to be non-authoritarian, meaning it is an anti-cult movement as well! Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh fought against Baboon Troop social dynamics (authoritarian hierarchies) way back in a time and place where this was still hopeless. Yet, because of them, women do NOT sit in the back of Sikhi. Meanwhile I was raised in a Protestant Christian culture where the basic dogma IS sexist, exclusive, non-Universalist etc. Yet Protestant Christians are WAY ahead of every other religion on Earth in empowering women into equal authority with their men. Thus even though at the level of core belief, women in the West are constantly fighting Eve's battle, Christianity is the best choice for women in a practical sense. We can speak from the pulpit within Christianity. Of course, throughout the World women are more religious than men are. Women pray and meditate more, attend Temples and Churches more, do more seva (service), and we keep the charities going. Women are far less likely to misuse power when we attain it; far less likely to sell our souls for sex, $tuff and/or power. We have Worldwide better statistics when it comes to resisting the urge to murder and rape and every other criminal activity. Women start less wars. This is not to say that women are better than men in all areas, but in the area of ETHICS the data is clear and profound. And the reasons for this has to do with Baboon Troop mentality as much as anything else. Men, to be good men, need to give up the urge to be Alpha Male, King of the Castle, Guru and CEO. Women, in order to help men, to help our planet, to help Sikhi, help ourselves and our children, need to give up the idea that we NEED men and that we are in competition with other women for men's attention. This is distinct from whether women WANT men- the majority of us do- or rather we want our ONE man. But most women want men, Fathers, Brothers, Husbands, Uncles, Nephews, and Sons who are "good guys", men who can quickly and easily disband the Baboon Troop, authoritarian hierarchies, for the sake of Sikhi and the planet. Sikhi is on a World stage now and it is embarrassing to say that Sikhi is a Universalist, non-sexist, not-racist, anti-cult, anti-caste and anti-class MOVEMENT when the truth is that Sikhi looks like a regional traditional sect from the Punjab India- prone to cults, stuck with arranged marriages (the ultimate caste/class game), sexist and with a tendency to sound mighty racist quite a lot of the time too! Sikhi needs a unifying, pro-active cause, something we can all get behind and work together on. We need something to show the World (that has forgotten our incredible history and ignors our present persecution) how amazing Sikhs are! And what better cause than Sikhi itself? What better way to share our tradition and our strength and our huge capacity to fight for the right, than to declare that Sikhi is a Universalist, non-sexist, not-racist, anti-cult, anti-caste and class, religion, and then PROVE it? The World doesn't believe anything like this is possible, of course. To go quickly from a traditional male dominated, superstitious, authoritarian Baboon Troop society, to being the kind of culture Guru Nanak was dreaming of? To transform into being the kind of religion that women the World over could feel excited, supported, empowered and happy to join? To be the kind of movement that teaches that change and transformation are possible in this World? To have Sikhi suddenly show it's stuff and take it's place as a major World religion and force? My Western friends think I am totally crazy and most the Sikh men I deal with have a "there there child" tone in their responses to me as well. But to quote a very famous and beloved Western visionary " You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..." Sikhi has a tradition of doing amazing acts of righteousness. Only Sikhi has the Sikh tradition. Who else but Sikhs can teach the lesson that only Sikhi teaches? Mind you, I am not interested in converting the World to Sikhi. That is NOT what is important at all. Yet this Planet desperately NEEDS Sikhi. This Planet needs Sikhs to do what Sikhs do best- for the glory of Universalism and the love of the human potential, MORE than for the Glory of Sikhi. Only Sikhs have ever run into battle screaming PREM KI JIT (Love Be The Victory)! Before materialism and Baboon Bosses succeed in conquering Sikhi and the World, and destroying GOOD simply for their own ego-gratification, why not fight? Prem Ki Jit! "OK, so I am weird!" I admit to Harpal, as I attempt to see my life through his eyes....and the eyes of others. How many UUSikhs are there, afterall? "But I really believe, as a Sikh and as a Unitarian Universalist that it is OK to be weird! We are all children of the Divine, and as diverse as can be!"