By: Harneet Kaur
ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਚਾਨਬੋ ॥
All human beings, as a species, are recognized as one and the same.
2020 has been an unforgettable year. There have been wildfires in Australia, floods in Indonesia, Basketball star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi Bryant were killed in a helicopter crash, and a majority of the world shut down due to a global pandemic. It is pretty safe to say that there are better ways to start a new decade.
Among uncertain times, many in the US are certain about the fact that the deep-rooted systemic racism facing African-Americans and other in the minorities US must come to an end. George Floyd was a African American man from Minneapolis who was killed by a police officer during an arrest for allegedly forging a $20 bill. This murder which was a result of police brutality sparked the rallies and protests have taken place to combat hate and fight for justice for those targeted.
The town of Westborough displayed support by hosting a Anti-Racism Solidarity Vigil on June 7, 2020. The audience listened to religious leaders from different faiths and poems read by the youth. Sangat members from our Gurdwara also joined in to hear the speakers and show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Harpreet Singh, a representative of Sikh Coalition and member of our congregation, also spoke from a Sikh perspective at the vigil. His speech, along with the others, emphasized the reason why this is not the time to stay silent. He conveyed that Sikhs stand “shoulder to shoulder with our black brothers and sisters and all those who have been oppressed and marginalized by systemic racism perpetrated by white America.”
Harpreet Singh 
We must not return to normal because normal was fitted to benefit white America rather than all of America. Black Lives Matter is not a MOMENT, it is a MOVEMENT!!
TAKE ACTION:
Resources to learn more about systematic racism and why Sikhs should support BLM:
Why Should Sikhs- Care About Black Lives Matter?
Dear Mom, Dad, Uncle, Aunti: Black Lives Matter to Us, Too
How does Anti-Blackness show up in the Sikh community?
Lessons in Solidarity: From Sikh Genocide to Black Lives Matter
