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| OAK CREEK, MI - AUGUST 6: Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards (R) along with a member of the Sikh Church names victims of the shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where yesterday a gunman fired upon people at service, at a press conference, August, 6, 2012 in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. At least six people were killed when the shooter identified as Wade Michael Page opened fire on congregants in the Milwaukee suburb. The suspect who was a United States Army veteran was shot dead in a shootout with police. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife) |
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| UNSPECIFIED DATE & LOCATION: In this handout provided by the Oak Creek Police Department, Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy who was shot mulitple times by suspect Wade Michael Page at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, Wisconsin poses for a photograph on an unspecifed date and location. At least six people were killed when the shooter, identified as Wade Michael Page, opened fire on congregants in the Milwaukee suburb. The suspect who was a United States Army veteran was killed in a shootout with police. Lt. Murphy is a 21-year veteran of the department is expected to survive. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife) |
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| OAK CREEK, MI - AUGUST 6: Oak Creek Police chief John Edwards speaks at a press conference on the shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where yesterday a gunman fired upon people at service August, 6, 2012 in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. At least six people were killed when the shooter identified as Wade Michael Page opened fire on congregants in the Milwaukee suburb. The suspect who was a United States Army veteran was shot dead in a shootout with police. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife) |
We know little about the motives of the gunman who opened fire yesterday in a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Many of us will monitor the news during the day, hoping to learn more about what the shooter thought he was doing, sure to hear more about the heroism and horror inside the building.
But it’s Monday, one of the first days of school for students throughout the South, where school starts early. In those classrooms, teachers need to know how to talk about the shooting now, this morning.
Teaching Tolerance suggests starting with educating students about the Sikhs.
Sikhism rose in India at a time, about 350 years ago, when both Hinduism and Islam were practiced there; its followers seek enlightenment and brotherhood. It is a religious tradition that is little understood in the United States. Despite their rich heritage and distinctive dress, Sikhs are often mistaken for Muslims. And they have paid a heavy price for our cultural ignorance.
In fact, after 9/11, the first victim of anti-Muslim retaliation was a Sikh man, a 52-year-old gas station owner in Arizona. Since then, according to the Sikh Coalition of Washington, Sikhs have endured more than 700 attacks.
Did the shooter confuse Sikhs with Muslims, and conflate Muslims with terrorists? We know only that he performed in racist skinhead bands and, according to some witnesses, had a tattoo marking the 9/11 attacks.
We wrote about Sikhism last year in a blog about religious freedom, “Can My Sikh Student Carry a Sword?” As blogger Jackie Walker wrote, Sikh men traditionally have uncut hair as a visible sign of affiliation. They may also carry a ceremonial sword or dagger, called a kirpan, to symbolize defense of the weak.
At least one Sikh in the temple died while defending the weak. Amardeep Kaleka was told by police that his father, Satwant Singh Kaleka, was killed after attacking “the intruder or the shooter in the lobby after gunshots were fired.” He slowed the gunman down, allowing others to find shelter.
And that reminds us of something we do know: Like most faiths, Sikhism is founded on love and concern, even in the face of fear and hate.
But it’s Monday, one of the first days of school for students throughout the South, where school starts early. In those classrooms, teachers need to know how to talk about the shooting now, this morning.
Teaching Tolerance suggests starting with educating students about the Sikhs.
Sikhism rose in India at a time, about 350 years ago, when both Hinduism and Islam were practiced there; its followers seek enlightenment and brotherhood. It is a religious tradition that is little understood in the United States. Despite their rich heritage and distinctive dress, Sikhs are often mistaken for Muslims. And they have paid a heavy price for our cultural ignorance.
In fact, after 9/11, the first victim of anti-Muslim retaliation was a Sikh man, a 52-year-old gas station owner in Arizona. Since then, according to the Sikh Coalition of Washington, Sikhs have endured more than 700 attacks.
Did the shooter confuse Sikhs with Muslims, and conflate Muslims with terrorists? We know only that he performed in racist skinhead bands and, according to some witnesses, had a tattoo marking the 9/11 attacks.
We wrote about Sikhism last year in a blog about religious freedom, “Can My Sikh Student Carry a Sword?” As blogger Jackie Walker wrote, Sikh men traditionally have uncut hair as a visible sign of affiliation. They may also carry a ceremonial sword or dagger, called a kirpan, to symbolize defense of the weak.
At least one Sikh in the temple died while defending the weak. Amardeep Kaleka was told by police that his father, Satwant Singh Kaleka, was killed after attacking “the intruder or the shooter in the lobby after gunshots were fired.” He slowed the gunman down, allowing others to find shelter.
And that reminds us of something we do know: Like most faiths, Sikhism is founded on love and concern, even in the face of fear and hate.
We Honor Sikhs by Learning about Them | Teaching Tolerance
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