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Combat Hate
Interview with Manjit Singh, Chairperson, SALDEF
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Manjit Singh is
the driving force of SALDEF. Manjit Singh is a zealous activist but
maintains a low profile.
In
August 2004, he was appointed to the
Victim
Services Advisory Board of the
Montgomery County government in
Maryland.
He is a member of the Community Advisory Board for the Washington DC
region of the
International
Channel. He has served for two years on the Advisory
Board of the
Pew Forum on
Religion and Public Life and served for two years as
Member-at-Large on the Board of
Interfaith
Conference of Metropolitan Washington.
While
working at IBM, as a computer engineer, Manjit was one of the key
persons responsible for designing a software program called Key Ring
Organizer (KRO)--a client software application for digital
certificate management.
The online
availability of the video On Common Ground was a good
opportunity for World Sikh News to catch up with Manjit Singh. Here
is what he has to say about the life of a Sikh in the US of A.
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WSN:
What was the necessity for the On Common Ground video?
Manjit Singh:
The primary motivation for the training video was to address the
gross misinformation and misconceptions among law enforcement
personnel about Sikhs. This was aggravated after 9/11 resulting in
Sikhs being misidentified as suspects. Those responsible for
protecting us instead were viewing us with suspicion, resulting in a
less than positive interaction among Sikhs and law enforcement
personnel. This acute problem needed to be addressed and we found a
willing and understanding partner in the Community Relations Service
(CRS) of the US Dept. of Justice.
WSN:
SALDEF says that 65,000 law enforcement personnel have seen the
video. Has it made any perceptible difference at the airports?
 Manjit
Singh:
Yes, the trainings of all the US airport security screeners have had
a significant tangible impact in the experience of Sikh passengers.
We have received reports, since the trainings took place, how the
screeners are more aware and knowledgeable about Sikh practices and
their interaction with Sikh passengers is now in majority of the
cases more respectful and with sensitivity.
WSN:
From SMART to SALDEF in 12 years – how does it feel serving the
cause of Sikh Americans and Sikhi?
Manjit
Singh:
Personally, it feels very gratifying for having created a pioneer,
ground breaking organization to serve the Sikh American community,
at a time in 1996 when no one in the community saw the value or need
for such an organization.
WSN:
Does SALDEF see the problems of Sikh Americans in isolation or do
you think that developments in
Punjab
affect you? Does the image carry over --positive or negative?
 Manjit
Singh:
In most instances, the problems faced by Sikhs in
America
are not influenced by external developments, including
Punjab.
However, there are a few exceptions, for example, the turban ban in
France
and other EU countries are of concern.
Again, the image
of Sikhs abroad does carry over at times in this day of instant
information and media access. For example, the visit of the Indian
PM, Manmohan Singh, in 2005 was a very positive event for the Sikhs
in the US.
WSN:
Since the last decade, in and around your life, do you see any
perceptible difference in the media and amongst the common American
in their attitude to Sikh Americans? Is the awareness better?
Manjit Singh:
Yes, there is a measurable difference in how the media views Sikhs
in the
US. Similarly, the awareness about Sikhs among common Americans has
also improved. For both these target audiences, there is still much
work to be done, especially to increase awareness among common
Americans. And this is a Herculean task that requires a concerted
effort by the entire community for many years. I think of it as a
"ten year plan" before we can see a significant change in
perceptions among common Americans across the country.
WSN:
Are the Sikh organizations in the
US attempting to
evolve a collaborative model of working, sharing ideas, not
duplicating each other's works, basically evolving a more
comprehensive model of working?
Manjit Singh:
Unfortunately, no. There is a lack of creative thinking and a rush
to replicate the programs and successes of other organizations.
WSN:
How is your generation of Sikhs empowering the next generation,
particularly to carry on the spirit of Sikhi?
Manjit
Singh:
There are various efforts underway by different forward thinking
Sikhs and organizations working in their own ways to empower the
next generation. These efforts vary from work of organizations, from
SALDEF to Ensaaf to Sikhcess.
WSN: How
often do you touch base with
Punjab? Do you
and your generation of Sikhs feel the need to do so?
Manjit Singh:
I can't speak for others; I personally visit
India and Punjab
almost every two years. I believe all Sikhs need to have a
connection with Punjab and need to maintain that connection for
themselves and future generations.
WSN:
Are any preparations afoot all across the US to celebrate the
Tercentary of Guru Granth Sahib –say, creating more awareness
amongst the Sikhs themselves and among Americans about the concept
of Shabd Guru.
Manjit Singh:
Yes, almost all gurdwaras are making plans to celebrate the 300th
anniversary of the Guru Granth Sahib. These plans vary from one
place to another.
WSN:
What do you expect from the religious and political leadership of
Sikhs in
Punjab?
Manjit Singh:
The expectation is to provide ethical, moral and courageous
leadership; to set an example for the current and future generations
of Sikhs; to foster new younger generation of leadership; to
strengthen the Sikh institutions; to make Punjab economically
sustainable and move it ahead in industry and technology; all to
these aimed at creating an environment for Sikhi and thus Sikhs to
thrive in Punjab and India.
To put it differently, make Sikhs proud of identifying, owning and
protecting their rich history and legacy.
WSN:
How does the political establishment in the US view the Sikhs? Do
you think that it is appropriate for Sikhs together to support any
one political party or should that be an individual decision?
Manjit
Singh:
Sikhs are viewed favorably by the political establishment in terms
of a hard working, successful immigrant community. Sikhs are also
becoming more politically engaged and that has resulted in some
significant in-roads in terms of influence with both parties -the
Democrats and Republicans.
WSN:
Do you see a way for Sikh organisations devoted to human rights and
advocacy supplementing each other's work?
Manjit
Singh:
The paradigm currently is not one of "supplementing" each other’s
work. So though the work is supplementing in some instances, it is
not a de facto state. This can be improved by further closer
coordination and frequent interaction to create a default state of
collaboration and support.
13 February 2008
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