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A thread about my father and his struggle with Kes:
My father told me once that when he first came to the United States and was working as a bus boy in a restaurant, fellow âSinghâsâ told him to cut his hair, he left his sardaari and cut his hair to try to fit in....
My father told me once that when he first came to the United States and was working as a bus boy in a restaurant, fellow âSinghâsâ told him to cut his hair, he left his sardaari and cut his hair to try to fit in....
He went on like this for a while when one day he was serving an older white woman and she asked him where he was from. He responded, âPunjab, Indiaâ. She asked him âare you Sikh?â And he responded âyes I am a Sikh.â He said the look she gave him was a mix of surprise and sadness>
âYouâre not a Sikh, a Sikh is a lion that isnât ever supposed to cut his hair. Iâve read about your people and youâre history.â My dad was really shocked because for the first time in his life as an immigrant from Punjab, a white person acknowledged his religion and history...
He asked her how she knew so much about Sikhs and she told him she once saw a Singh donning his Turban and Beard amongst everyone else and she couldnât stop looking at him. She said she loved the way he looked and how confident he was amongst the crowds of Americans...
She told him âA true Sikh is a real man, with a beard and long hair, if you cut your hair you arenât a man in my eyes.â She then MADE HIM PROMISE he would return to his Sikhi Saroop, and he said that he would try his best. A WHITE WOMAN TELLING A SIKH TO BE A TRUE SIKH. Amazing..
To all the Singh and Kaurs out there, youâre all beautiful, strong, and you deserve your recognition. When you walk, walk with your chin up and your chest out, always in Chardikala and remember you represent all of us... if you feel the pressure like I did to cut your hair....
I implore you to rethink. I cut my hair and only recently began to keep my kes so I am no better than a âmonaâ etc, but Iâm begging you all to stay strong. Youâre the future of our Sikh children, teach them to value their religion and their physical identity...
And to anybody who has already cut their kes, I hope you find your happiness and you should live your own life proudly. However when you see a Singh with a turban and his beard or a Kaur with her Kes always do your best to support them. Itâs not easy to do...
Waheguru ji ka khalsa, waheguru ji Ki fateh, love all you guys. One day this world is going to change.