Attention Gurmat Camps & Parents: Become Part of the Process. Make a Difference

Are you one of those amazing individuals who organize and run summer youth Gurmat camps somewhere in the Diaspora?

If so, then I must ask you to consider having a workshop around an award-winning documentary, Roots & Wings. This powerful film is quietly changing the stereotypical mindset of school-going children across America.

Created by Angad Singh, a Sikh-American teenager, this film seeks to create a dialogue as to how the current school-going population views its fellow Sikh students.

Why is this film important?  
Browse through the website, www.onelight-films.com and you will quickly see how this film has facilitated a change in the mind of students who previously associated Sikhs and turbans with negative images.
Read some their comments and get a glimpse of what our children face:

I really find this documentary very uplifting; it gave me perspective. You took me on the inside of what it is like to be an American who does not look like others. I would be lying if I said I have not been a little frightened when I was at an airport and I saw a man with a turban on. Now I realize, even if you are a Sikh or a Muslim it does not mean you are a terrorist. And, I apologize for being ignorant and will try to be a better American citizen. I hope to teach others what your documentary had taught me today. Thank you for the life lesson.  [S.T., age 15 years, Georgia, U.S.A.]

Your film was moving. Before, when I saw someone with a turban, I would think of the Middle East. But now, after your film, I see people with turbans as Americans. I see them liking the same music and doing the same things I do. I think if we learn about each other, we will find that we are all the same people. [Age, 15 years, Georgia, U.S.A.] 

 This film has certainly given me a few pointer tips on life – like not labeling people the moment you see them.  You need to take the time to get to know them. – A.P.,  15 year-old girl

Your film is AMAZING and it really opened my eyes.  I was shocked when one of the little boys in your film told how he was bullied.  That made me feel really sad inside…I think if everyone got to see your film, I really believe that it would make HUGE difference.” E.D., 15 year-old girl
I think it is really awesome that you took the time to make this and try to educate people instead of just being resentful of the people who do discriminate against your religion.  I think that it is really important that people are educated because they just see a turban and automatically think terrorist, especially following 9-11. – K.R., 17 year-old girl

Why it is important to hold a workshop followed by a discussion at Youth Camps?
1   While this film educates the mainstream that beyond anonymity and mistaken perceptions, Sikh youth are truly American and deal with their challenges bravely, with roots in a perfect balance of spirituality and progressiveness. It also inspires Sikh youth to realize that they can triumph being who they are. They do not have to cut off their roots that strengthen them to soar high on their wings. This film instills an incredible level of confidence in the Sikh youth.
2   To empower the Sikh youth with an action oriented plan. There is power in grass root action. All it takes is one child educating their school and before you know it, we will have the entire United States educated on who the Sikhs are and their values. An organization cannot do this, but every Sikh child can educate one school at a time. This is where the Gurmat Camps come into the picture. You have the power to mobilize your campers with a sense of action and become part of the process.

Why has the film Roots & Wings been so successful in Public Schools? 

• • Public schools shy away from material that is religious in nature because by law they have to be secular and cannot impart religious education. They can however and will impart lessons that fit in with cultural diversity, world history or world language program. Roots & Wings fits into all of these categories as it invokes a dialogue on “What does it mean to be an American in a multicultural society of today.”

• • It’s a documentary with real people and children who are truly American. Students and teachers relate to the real characters as they speak from the heart.

• • An American teenager has created this film. Students are often wary of adult agendas but can easily relate to someone their age. They are touched by the fact that somebody their age has to go beyond their comfort zone to be accepted as who they are. They show great respect for the fact that Sikhs stand up for their beliefs rather than giving in after they have watched the film.
• There are lesson plan and presentations, testimonies and letters from educators on the website that testify to the power of this film. There is no screening fee and the schools are supplied with all the necessary material and help.

So, a humble request to all youth camp organizers: please empower your campers with a workshop created around Roots & Wings.

OneLight Films will help you with the pre- and post- screening material and will send a free DVD screener for your camp.

Please contact us today at:
www.onelight-films.com

Parents, all of us share a deep desire to EDUCATE the schools about Sikhs in an effective non-threatening acceptable way. I strongly urge you to please download ‘The Letter to the Educators‘ from the website and send it to the teachers.

http://www.onelight-films.com/production/pdfs/RootsandWingsALettertoEduc.pdf  
The right time to approach the educators is NOW.  Teachers are engaged in planning exercises for the next year. Please share this information with them, so they can include Roots & Wings in their curriculum planning for the next year.

Inni Kaur