In the News…

I. S. Saluja, March 9, 2007

FIGHTING PREJUDICE WITH VOTE PHOTO EXHIBITION IMPRESSES

Grassroots Initiative, the Sikh Coalition and Queens Museum of Art opened the doors March 3 for the first public showing of Fighting Prejudice with Votes: Sikhs in New York- a bold, new photography exhibit documenting the first-ever elected Sikhs in New York.

City Council Member John C. Liu, who in 2001 became the first Asian American to be elected to the New York City Council, spoke at the inaugural event, alongside Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Guillermo Linares, the first elected Latino immigrant in the City government, Chair of the Taxi and Limousine Commission Matthew Daus, and other distinguished guests.

"Our democracy is only as great as it is inclusive," stated Council Member Liu."By this measure, the Sikh community's willingness to engage our political institutions in the struggle for collective survival and empowerment has contributed enormously to America's movement towards a democratic and just society. We welcome the Sikh pioneers who have successfully entered the political arena and who are now building a path for the hundreds of others seeking to follow in their footsteps."

Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Guillermo Linares narrated his journey as taxi driver to what he is today. He said that he became the first elected Latino immigrant in the City Government in 1991. Today, he said"36% voters in New York are immigrants. He exhorted the Sikh community to come forward and stake a claim in the political arena.

Commissioner Daus spoke of the great spirit of the Sikhs. He characterized them as very helpful. He said that the Sikhs have the ability and desire to help each other. He recalled how on the evening of the 9/11 he found a group of Sikh taxi drivers gathered in Manhattan ready to extend help. The officials represented the Mayor who had other pressing engagements. The officials presented a proclamation from the Mayor to the elected Sikh officials who, in turn, presented mementos to the officials. In 2006, Grassroots Initiative partnered with the nation's leading Sikh civil and human rights organization, the Sikh Coalition, to help elect the first-ever Sikh elected officials in New York. Five individuals- Dhan Singh, Gurmej Singh, Harjinder Singh Duggal, Harpreet Wahan Singh and Mohinder Singh -were elected to the Queens County Democratic Committee.

In Fighting Prejudice with Votes, Brooklyn-based photographer Sarah Tew documents this experience in images, juxtaposing the private and public lives of the Sikh community and the process of merging these lives through entry into the political process. The images provide an intimate look into the culture, faith and recent triumphs of one of New York's most colorful and least understood ethnic communities.

"Fighting Prejudice with Votes is not just about pretty pictures," said Jeff S. Merritt, President of Grassroots Initiative. "The exhibition showcases and celebrates the entrance of new immigrant, ethnic, and traditionally marginalized groups into elected office. The groups and individuals at the focus of this exhibition demonstrate that discrimination, stigma and political barriers can be overcome. They are trailblazers who remind us what democracy is, and should be, all about."

Amardeep Singh, Director of the Sikh Coalition, highlighted the optimism in the Sikh community noting, "Rather than merely fighting lawsuits and combating discrimination after the fact, we're excited about the prospect of proactively fighting discrimination and challenging stereotypes. This exhibit showcases a major step in that direction." Mohinder Singh, one of the elected officials, agreed. "In the beginning, I was concerned about knocking on the people's doors to ask for their vote," he said." Some people saw me and told me to go away. But by the end, people were approaching me to talk about issues. It's a great feeling." Fighting Prejudice with Votes will be on view at the Queens Museum of Art from March 3rd to March 31st. For more information, please visit www.FightingPrejudice.com.