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JASDEEP SINGH: Community reaction bolsters Sikh spirits | Valley Voices | FresnoBee.

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6/24/13 7:22 PM

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JASDEEP SINGH: Community reaction bolsters Sikh spirits


Published: May 23, 2013 On a recent Sunday morning, while going on a morning walk after praying and serving at the Gurdwara, just as he did every week, 82-year-old Piara Singh was brutally attacked, allegedly by transient Gilbert Garcia with a steel rod. The attack left Singh hospitalized with a punctured lung, broken ribs and lacerations. Then, an amazing thing happened. The Fresno Sikh community rallied together in prayer, reflection and most importantly pro-active action. The Fresno Police Department sprang into action, capturing the suspect and immediately addressing concerns within the community. Local media gave attention to the matter and have continued to follow the story, a wonderful response unlike some other areas when similar events occur. Letters to the editor of The Fresno Bee came in that called for our Fresno community to "stand with the Sikhs." Within a week, Singh was ready to leave the hospital, maintaining his smile and jokes (the quintessential Sikh spirit of chardikala -- spirits always rising), despite the long recovery ahead for him. However, what is missing in many of these stories was often the reaction of those living near the Gurdwara in southwest Fresno. Let me be the first to tell everyone: It was tremendous! Neighbors expressed their horror and solidarity after this heinous crime. Door to door we visited people and they had nothing but goodwill for the community. As a gesture of appreciation, led by the Fresno Sikh youth, the Sikh community did that quintessentially American neighborly act. We shared a pie. These pies were of the tomato variety and were delivered with a smile, a thank you and an invitation to come visit the Gurdwara as part of a neighborly open house next Tuesday. The recent attack was not the first time a Sikh has been targeted in Fresno. Despite a century-long history here in the San Joaquin Valley, stories of attacks and harassment are not infrequent. Whether there are community stories of the treatment of farmhands and railroad workers in the early part of the 20th century, to even the accounts expressed by some of the next wave of Sikh pioneers in the farms, hospitals and factories during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, tales of hostility and animosity experienced by this immigrant community are known. Unfortunately, there are more recent stories. Last year, Bhai Anup Singh, 56, was stabbed at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, on his way to visit India, in an attack that was completely unprovoked. In 1995, Jasbir Singh, another man in his 50s, was viciously beaten to death while walking home near Bullard and Blackstone avenues. Despite the best efforts of local officials, unfortunately, Fresno Sikhs know that the attack on Piara Singh probably won't be the last. Animosity and hatred fester in places where people do not engage, interact and share with one another. Law enforcement can react but not prevent; the same is also true of legislation. One should not need to be "educated" or even require greater "awareness" to know not to attack innocent, elderly men. Rather, what we do require is more engagement and interactions, and more people to speak up when they hear
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JASDEEP SINGH: Community reaction bolsters Sikh spirits | Valley Voices | FresnoBee.com

6/24/13 7:22 PM

others using discriminatory or hate-filled language. If we all did this -- in whatever ways we consider community -- then we can make our Valley that much better. While these steps alone can't prevent everything, we can create an environment where such crimes are less likely to occur. Sometimes it even starts with a pie! Jasdeep Singh of Caruthers is a former Marine and is co-director of Misl Fresno, the Fresno-based chapter of the Jakara Movement, the largest Sikh volunteer organization in the United States. Back to Top < Previous Story LARRY POWELL: Summer is great time for kids to learn

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