Portraying incorrect Sikh Image
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Author:
n/a -
Send To:
SWFF International (SikhWheel.Com)
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Sponsored By:
Sikh Community, Toronto, Ontario -
More Info at:
Dear Organizers of the Spinning Wheel Film Festival (WWW.SikhWheel.Com),
We are writing to you in regard to the current poster being used to advertise the 2008 Spinning Wheel Film Festival. We humbly request you to carefully consider the image being promoted. The "superheroes" portrayed are far from being a positive image of Sikhs. Though the intention may have been to generate excitement and pride amongst Sikhs and to show the general public that Sikhs too have superheroes amongst them, we must ensure that the image being promoted in fact matches the actual character and virtues of a Sikh that Guru Granth Sahib and our history portrays. The excellence of character that identifies a Sikh as superhero is to be revealed both in visible and inner virtues. Chivalry, modesty in thought, word and action along with selfless service to humanity in spirit, matching the life of Guru Sahib are alone the hallmarks of a Sikh.
The current poster diminishes Sikh identity by playing fast and loose with Sikh Rehat Maryada in presenting the lead male and female characters as superheroes and role models. They appear more as villains, abandoning the true Sikh virtues. Going about "saving the world" with the hair uncovered is far from being obedient to Sikh Rehat and to the visible identification as a Gursikh. The Kirpan is supposed to be worn in a Gatra, not attached to a belt. Furthermore, pierced ears as in the case of the young girl are not in the spirit of how Sikhs should raise their children towards principled Sikh living.
Most troubling of all is the dramatic clothing and poses portrayed by the four characters. There is an unwholesomeness and shallowness that reeks of the typical [B-H]ollywood-type depiction of men, women and children and debasement of true human nature. It is unfortunate that the mainstream culture is flooded with such images on billboards, movie and television screens, and in print advertisement. These images incite immorality in all segments of society - young and old, male and female of any faith. It is against this backdrop of media and social decadence that the outstanding Sikh virtues of unique visible identity, maintenance of natural form and modesty of character should be promoted. Sikh identity projects a vision of uniqueness, unalloyed wholesomeness, trustworthiness and humility that acts as a beacon to all to turn to. When Sikhs already have their own prescribed dress and way of living that exudes grace and spiritual refinement. It promotes a modest lifestyle, and the social welfare through selfless service, where is the need to ape the street culture of tights, revealing cuts and egoistic-attitude.
Particularly as these cartoon characters represent as role models - popular icons, they become a powerful force capable of creating lasting biased images and attitudes about Sikhi in the minds of those unfamiliar with true Sikh values and identity. As the 2008 SWFF poster can promote true Sikh character, it can misrepresent towards un-Sikh character. Sikhs already have their own heroes in the example of Guru Sahib and in the lives of Sikhs who lived emulating Guru Sahib. Let us not adopt false heroes who cast aside the example of Guru Sahib and project a shallow reflection of Sikh character.
Please, with the above in mind, we urge you to consider this matter seriously and replace the current 2008 poster with one that is representative of the true superhero character of Sikhs.
We are writing to you in regard to the current poster being used to advertise the 2008 Spinning Wheel Film Festival. We humbly request you to carefully consider the image being promoted. The "superheroes" portrayed are far from being a positive image of Sikhs. Though the intention may have been to generate excitement and pride amongst Sikhs and to show the general public that Sikhs too have superheroes amongst them, we must ensure that the image being promoted in fact matches the actual character and virtues of a Sikh that Guru Granth Sahib and our history portrays. The excellence of character that identifies a Sikh as superhero is to be revealed both in visible and inner virtues. Chivalry, modesty in thought, word and action along with selfless service to humanity in spirit, matching the life of Guru Sahib are alone the hallmarks of a Sikh.
The current poster diminishes Sikh identity by playing fast and loose with Sikh Rehat Maryada in presenting the lead male and female characters as superheroes and role models. They appear more as villains, abandoning the true Sikh virtues. Going about "saving the world" with the hair uncovered is far from being obedient to Sikh Rehat and to the visible identification as a Gursikh. The Kirpan is supposed to be worn in a Gatra, not attached to a belt. Furthermore, pierced ears as in the case of the young girl are not in the spirit of how Sikhs should raise their children towards principled Sikh living.
Most troubling of all is the dramatic clothing and poses portrayed by the four characters. There is an unwholesomeness and shallowness that reeks of the typical [B-H]ollywood-type depiction of men, women and children and debasement of true human nature. It is unfortunate that the mainstream culture is flooded with such images on billboards, movie and television screens, and in print advertisement. These images incite immorality in all segments of society - young and old, male and female of any faith. It is against this backdrop of media and social decadence that the outstanding Sikh virtues of unique visible identity, maintenance of natural form and modesty of character should be promoted. Sikh identity projects a vision of uniqueness, unalloyed wholesomeness, trustworthiness and humility that acts as a beacon to all to turn to. When Sikhs already have their own prescribed dress and way of living that exudes grace and spiritual refinement. It promotes a modest lifestyle, and the social welfare through selfless service, where is the need to ape the street culture of tights, revealing cuts and egoistic-attitude.
Particularly as these cartoon characters represent as role models - popular icons, they become a powerful force capable of creating lasting biased images and attitudes about Sikhi in the minds of those unfamiliar with true Sikh values and identity. As the 2008 SWFF poster can promote true Sikh character, it can misrepresent towards un-Sikh character. Sikhs already have their own heroes in the example of Guru Sahib and in the lives of Sikhs who lived emulating Guru Sahib. Let us not adopt false heroes who cast aside the example of Guru Sahib and project a shallow reflection of Sikh character.
Please, with the above in mind, we urge you to consider this matter seriously and replace the current 2008 poster with one that is representative of the true superhero character of Sikhs.
636 Signatures
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A. Singh
- Comments
- We should be careful while portraying Sikh Characters. A Sikh is a Sikh whether in School, Home, Work or anywhere else.
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Baljit Singh
- Comments
- This is totally insane and hope SWFF team removes it
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Gurmant Singh
- Comments
- I have never seen such a stupid poster before. They need to be stopped
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A Singh
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Tejpal singh
- Comments
- not good thing
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D Singh
- Comments
- Sikh image is being distorted, shameful.
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Bhagatjot Singh
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Prabhjot
- Comments
- do not try to change the basics in order to get wider acceptance
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Telvinder S Gill
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Harsimran Singh
- Comments
- This should be stop at any cost.
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Sukhdev Singh
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Simran Kaur Dhaliwal
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Manjot Singh
- Comments
- Very sad and dissapointing portrayal of "Sikhs"
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Ramandeep Kaur Pandher
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Gurdev Singh
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Gurpinder Kaur
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Kulpree Singh
- Comments
- It is sometimes difficult to swallow the entire dose of a given medicine; however, diluted medicine is often more harmful than not taking any medicine at all. Same is true of a message. The message of our Guru Saheb has been diluted for far too long, and we now suffer the deseases of divisions, corruption, ritualism, materialism, etc in every strata of Sikh Community. It is hoped with best wishes and best intentions that SWFF International will strive to present the complete image of GurSikhi that is representative of the full application of the message of our Guru Saheb. Chardi Kalaa Jee.
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Harjinder Singh
- Comments
- This is really painful to see inadequate and incorrect portrayal of Sikhs. If we want our next generation to see their community portrayed in the right context in media so that it induces Charhdikala in them, we need to wake up and think about how to preserve our true identity and instilling pride in it. I hope SWFF International to think about it again and work for portraying true role model Sikhs for our children.
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Binder Singh
- Comments
- kal kaathee raajae kaasaaee dhharam pa(n)kh kar ouddariaa || koorr amaavas sach cha(n)dhramaa dheesai naahee keh charriaa || The Dark Age of Kali Yuga is the knife, and the kings are butchers; righteousness has sprouted wings and flown away. In this dark night of falsehood, the moon of Truth is not visible anywhere
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Amneet Singh
- Comments
- SWFF must also end its socioeconomic based discrimination, when underlinding their festival as a Sikh event. Socioeconomic status, and underpriviledged individuals should not be isolated from such event as this goes against the basic teachings of Sikhi. In addition to this, Sikhi encourages a spiritual practice to that of Liberation Theology, collective conscious and communal strength, thus the trend of elitism should be abandoned as well.
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Gagandeep Singh Pandher
- Comments
- This seems outrageous, who in their right mind would portray Sikhs like this being a Sikh themselves...
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Jaspal K P
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Sarvinder Singh P
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Harnam Singh P
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Rupinder Singh
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Mehtab Singh
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Singh Balwinder
- Comments
- our next generation to see their community portrayed in the right context in media so that it induces Charhdikala in them, we need to wake up and think about how to preserve our true identity and instilling pride in it. I hope SWFF International to think about it again and work for portraying true role model Sikhs for our children.
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Amardeep Singh
- Comments
- Shame it takes a petition to get them to change something that is obviously WRONG!
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gurpreet singh
- Comments
- poster should be stopped immediately
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Mandy Sidhu
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mandy kaur
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Sunny Singh
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Sukhminder Singh Hansra
- Comments
- Remove that poster ASAP
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Kiran
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Davinder Kahlon
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Tanvir Kaur
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Vicky Singh
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S Singh
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Amritpal Singh
- Comments
- Poster should be replaced immediately. BTW, why "Akal Insurance" and "Khalsa Community School" are sponsoring the organizers/events like this? The sponsors are also responsible for this and they should do some self introspection. Take a look at their sponsors' page (http://www.sikhwheel.com/Contentpage.aspx?type=sponsors)...
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Harpreet Kaur
- Comments
- A Sikh Bibi, A Skirt and a Kirpan don't go together...What does organizers want to convey with this poster? What's the aim and objectives of their organizations? Are the organizers Sikh themselves?
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Sonia Kaur
- Comments
- I completely support the letter accompanying this petition. Organizers, please take this issue into consideration!
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Tanveer Kaur
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Navneet Kaur
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Harkiran Kaur
- Comments
- Please, please, please change this advertisement so that it will truly represent Guru Ji's children.
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Ramanpal Saini
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Tajinder Kaur
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Harpreet Singh
- Comments
- Keep Guru Sikhi Pure..Dont Mix It With Manmat!!!!
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Heera Singh
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Harman Singh
- Comments
- Could've been a funny cartoon, should not have been on the front page representing the festival.
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Jasneet
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636
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