Abstract
Although Sikhs have been a part of the social fabric of the United States since 1899, they continue to face obstacles in the present day. The common American still fails to understand Sikhs and their religion which is highly problematic as Sikhs not only have to combat white hegemony but are also tasked with educating the general public. How does white hegemony and Islamophobia impact material religion for Sikhs and interfere with their First Amendment right? This paper examines the issue of the kirpan (dagger) and the Turban Effect within the public sphere in the United States. It considers how we tend to react to situations versus how we would react to seeing a turbaned individual in post-9/11 America wearing a religious article of faith in the form of a kirpan.
Presenters
Tejpaul Singh BainiwalPhD Candidate, Religious Studies, University of California, Riverside, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Sikhi, Kirpan, Turban Effect, United States