The World Sikh News editorial recently urging the Sikhs in the United States to participate in the Census has evoked a very positive response from the community here. We have received many phone calls lauding us for giving an early call to the community to participate in this very important event.
Numerous Sikh organizations and individuals, including the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation in Maryland, the Sikh Cultural Society in New York, the Sri Guru Singh Sabha of New Jersey and the Sikh Coordination Committee USA of Iowam have launched efforts to educate the community. We appreciate their efforts and we hope that others will follow their suit
As expected, the points raised by the editorial were discussed and questions were asked. Amongst the queries raised was whether the Sikhs should identify themselves as a distinct race. The census form has a broad definition of the term race, including in it distinct national and ethnic groups rather than traditional races. It lists among the options of race: Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Asian Indians etc. and or other Asian or Pacific Islander, (API) as Thai, Cambodian and Pakistani in Question 4 and provides space for writing the race.
Since the options indicate an ethnic group or nationality rather than a race per se, in this context, we feel it would be appropriate and correct to be listed as Sikh, rather than being lumped under Asian Indians. What do you feel? Reader’s response will be appreciated.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 16, 1990
