Why sikhism?
Originally I had decided to create a website on teenagers and body image. However, a week into practicum an incident occurred involving my 8-year-old nephew altering my initial decision. I posted the following message to my colleagues in the Faculty of Education.
Dear Fellow Teachers,
Today my 8-year-old nephew cut his hair. No big deal for the majority of us, I know. However, he had been growing since he was born. He is a Sikh. This decision came about because he was getting bullied at school. On multiple occasions grade six students would undo his hair during recess and the teacher would have to do it up again. Even after multiple incidents it never dawned on teacher/the school to make this a learning opportunity for the other students and teachers. 2012 in a country that is known as a multicultural society with access to multiple resources to educate and this still happens. JUST LIVID!!!
In the future if you have a student that looks different from the rest for example, he/she wears a hijab or turban or anything else that is significant to their culture/religion can you all PLEASE acknowledge the difference and TALK ABOUT IT!!!
My name is Preety Singh. I am born and raised in Calgary.I completed my first degree in Sociology from the University of Calgary.My concentration is Elementary Science. I am a Sikh and proud of it. My family and I attend the Gurdawara (Sikh Temple) on a weekly basis, therefore, my religion and culture are very important to me. I do not have long hair, but I hope one day after working on my spirituality I will be able to physically display the scared symbols of my religion. The intention of this website is to educate administrators and teachers about Sikhism and the significant symbols of my religion, such as the significance of long hair. How can one expect students to understand with the adults teaching them have not clue themselves. I strongly believe educating in the key to make people understand the misunderstood/unfamiliar. This site is not created to receive sympathy of any sort. It is about creating change so one less Sikh student feels compelled to cut his/her hair in order to fit in school.
What happened in my nephew’s situation?
I am not his parent or guardian and even though I have been given me consent to talk on behalf of the parents the principle has not replied to my message. Here is the message I sent:
I am ______‘s Auntie (Only grade 3 student who WORE a turban in your school). I would like to inform you that due the bullying my nephew has endured at your school he has chosen to cut his hair. I am not sure if you, your staff or the students are fully aware of the significance hair has in the Sikh Religion. I am curious to know what your plan of action will be to inform your staff and students about this incident. I recommend you make this a learning opportunity so incidents such as this one will be avoided in the future. However, I still believe the boys who bullied my nephew and their parents need to be aware of what the actions of their children have forced an 8 year old to do. Hope to hear from you soon! (Sent on November 25th 2012).
Still no reply as of December 10, 2012.
Dear Fellow Teachers,
Today my 8-year-old nephew cut his hair. No big deal for the majority of us, I know. However, he had been growing since he was born. He is a Sikh. This decision came about because he was getting bullied at school. On multiple occasions grade six students would undo his hair during recess and the teacher would have to do it up again. Even after multiple incidents it never dawned on teacher/the school to make this a learning opportunity for the other students and teachers. 2012 in a country that is known as a multicultural society with access to multiple resources to educate and this still happens. JUST LIVID!!!
In the future if you have a student that looks different from the rest for example, he/she wears a hijab or turban or anything else that is significant to their culture/religion can you all PLEASE acknowledge the difference and TALK ABOUT IT!!!
My name is Preety Singh. I am born and raised in Calgary.I completed my first degree in Sociology from the University of Calgary.My concentration is Elementary Science. I am a Sikh and proud of it. My family and I attend the Gurdawara (Sikh Temple) on a weekly basis, therefore, my religion and culture are very important to me. I do not have long hair, but I hope one day after working on my spirituality I will be able to physically display the scared symbols of my religion. The intention of this website is to educate administrators and teachers about Sikhism and the significant symbols of my religion, such as the significance of long hair. How can one expect students to understand with the adults teaching them have not clue themselves. I strongly believe educating in the key to make people understand the misunderstood/unfamiliar. This site is not created to receive sympathy of any sort. It is about creating change so one less Sikh student feels compelled to cut his/her hair in order to fit in school.
What happened in my nephew’s situation?
I am not his parent or guardian and even though I have been given me consent to talk on behalf of the parents the principle has not replied to my message. Here is the message I sent:
I am ______‘s Auntie (Only grade 3 student who WORE a turban in your school). I would like to inform you that due the bullying my nephew has endured at your school he has chosen to cut his hair. I am not sure if you, your staff or the students are fully aware of the significance hair has in the Sikh Religion. I am curious to know what your plan of action will be to inform your staff and students about this incident. I recommend you make this a learning opportunity so incidents such as this one will be avoided in the future. However, I still believe the boys who bullied my nephew and their parents need to be aware of what the actions of their children have forced an 8 year old to do. Hope to hear from you soon! (Sent on November 25th 2012).
Still no reply as of December 10, 2012.