The Sikh Turban in America

Download or read book The Sikh Turban in America written by Amrik Chattha and published by Amrik Chattha. This book was released on 2020-06-15 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It can be hard to be in the minority anywhere. In America, turban-wearing Sikhs have discovered-especially since 9/11-that setting themselves apart by wearing a distinctive head covering can be downright dangerous. For many reasons, which the author explores, Sikhs in America and elsewhere in the West have been subject to harassment, job discrimination, and prejudice. The author, a turban-wearing Sikh, moved to the United States in 1967 for additional medical training (including at Harvard), eventually settling and practicing in West Virginia. At the time, few Americans had ever seen a turban-wearing Sikh. Though many were curious and friendly, others were uncomfortable and prejudiced toward him. Chattha's experience is not unique among Sikhs living in the United States. In this book, Chattha explores the history of the turban and how it came to be associated almost exclusively with Sikhism. He further explores the choices that the Sikh diaspora must make in their adopted homeland of America: do they keep the turban and the discrimination and prejudice that often accompanies it? Or do they remove it and choose to blend in with the majority? It is a personal choice, and Chattha examines the psychological and social forces that can shape the decision. As part of his research, Chattha conducted a survey of men raised Sikh and their choice of whether to keep the turban. Finally, Chattha examines the challenges to the long-term survival of the turban, including globalization, modernity, and politics.