The Sikhs of America have undergone a profound retooling in the wake of the events of September 11. Gone is any illusion that Sikhs can live in America without informing and educating other Americans about their religion, its practices, symbols, and beliefs. The recent rash of assaults against Sikh, Arab and Muslim Americans resulting from a racially-driven backlash to the WTC and Pentagon attacks has forced these communities to circle their wagons and assume a defensive posture - a necessary and appropriate response to the at-large circumstances that must be continued for as long as the violence persists.

In addressing this situation, Sikh Americans have done their utmost to ensure that the media - both print and television - responsibly address and condemn racially-driven harassment and attacks against members of the Sikh, Arab and Muslim American communities. In defining themselves to the media, Sikh Americans have sought to do so by affirmation - by declaring who they are - rather than by negation - stating what religion they are not. This has been done not only to convey as much information as possible about Sikhs, but to also avoid the implication that it is acceptable to attack those whom we are distancing ourselves from. Much of the focus of the media's coverage of Sikhs has been the victimization they have endured as a result of the backlash, yet there has been a significant and notable Sikh contribution to the rebuilding and rescue efforts that has not been emphasized, either by Sikh Americans or the media - which seems more comfortable presenting Sikhs as victims rather than magnanimous and valuable American citizens.

In the absence of any semblance of a long-term strategy, our short-term efforts to defend our community from assault may become the only way we deal with a problem that may plague us for several years. Is it the Sikh way to deal with adversity and danger by constantly bemoaning our own fate while our cities smolder and thousands have died and others endure similar harassment? No, it certainly is not. But by no means do I suggest that we not hold the media and the authorities to task for racially-driven violence against Sikhs. Defending Sikh Americans from harm is a paramount concern, but by no means should it be the only one. However, we are a country on the brink of war, many more will certainly die, will we continue to address the difficulties we may face in the future with self-absorption as American soldiers give up their lives for their country?

What the Sikh American community must do is to realistically assess what the future holds. It is almost certain that the United States is going to wage a war of some sort or another. How will Sikh Americans negotiate these times ahead and the prospect that Middle Eastern men, many with turbans and beards, may appear on the news every night fighting against American soldiers? How will the Sikh American community be able to get out its message of solidarity, service and support when, in the face of American military casualties, the media ceases to be interested in our self-obsessed concerns for our own safety?

The only long-term strategy for the Sikh American community that will allow them to remain true to Khalsa ideals must be a long period of Subh Karman - righteous deeds. Subh Karman can take the form of rendering support - both material and spiritual - to the fabric, government and other wrongly persecuted communities of our country. Subh Karman means getting out of our comfort zones to do what must be done for others and not just ourselves.

Sikhs should share their spiritual strength with other Americans by holding evening Rehras and Kirtan in parks and other visible public locations (as weather permits), one night Rehras can be recited in Punjabi, the next in English. Small langars or drinks can also be distributed. Sikhs should participate in and organize interfaith events such as fund-raisers, candlelight vigils, walk-a- thons, prayer meetings, community councils and coat-drives in the winter. Every Gurudwara in the country should organize an open house and invite members from their local area to attend. Gurudwaras should also be actively engaged in providing food to homeless shelters and extending domicile and nourishment to all people and not just Sikh immigrants. Let the American public know that a Sikh Gurudwara is haven for all, regardless of race or creed, and they will treasure them. Sikhs should also openly share the universal teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib ji Maharaj by putting tuks (quotes) in newspapers, magazine ads and by writing and submitting articles on its teachings so that everyone can experience the same upliftment and joy Sikhs do. Sikhs must appear on television extending their chardi-kala spirit to all. Sikhs will need to be open and extroverted about the teachings of their faith, they must serve the spiritual hunger of Americans by sharing Sikhi with all. Media coverage resulting from these sorts of activities will present the Sikhs as a proactive, generous and gregarious community that is more concerned with serving others than itself. The potential to uplift fellow Americans and to mold a more righteous nation as it faces a trying time is unlimited. Sikh Americans must also be in the vanguard of defending innocent Arab and Muslim men, women and children from harm. They must condemn and protest racially-motivated attacks and harassment without reservation and must be as vigilant about the civil liberties of others as their own. Sikh attorneys should take the initiative to represent members of other communities who cannot afford their own legal counsel on a pro bono basis in cases dealing with civil liberties violations. Groups dealing with discrimination and harassment of innocent Americans must have a strong Sikh presence. Let the American public know that the Sikhs are a righteous people who exist to serve and fight for the rights of others.

Materially, Sikhs must be prepared to support the war effort. This can be done a number of ways. Efforts to allow Sikhs to enter the military with their turbans and beards must be undertaken. Every Sikh, with their Saroop or not, who wishes to join the military to serve should make an effort to do so. Sikhs who are refused because of their turbans and beards must contact Sikh organizations committed to lobbying for their entry. These individuals can also contact the media to take up their cause and to let the American public know that Sikh Americans are also very willing to pay their fair share and give shaheeds - as every other American immigrant community has done - in order to ensure the future of the United States. Sikh doctors, engineers, and scientists must be prepared to make individual sacrifices and contribute through non-military duties. Sikhs must be very visible and apparent sources of moral support by contacting their Congressmen and asking them what their communities can do to help. Sikh businesses must create significant business ties with American agencies, contractors and companies involved in the war effort and Sikh labor should be supplied to their factories.

What Sikh Americans must realize is that by living in this country, we are participating in its benefits and these benefits have not come cheaply. Whether or not we agree with the current government, our presence in this country indicates that we agree with the idea behind America - its unparalleled freedom, opportunity and potential. Consequently, the burden of protecting and supporting the idea of America falls to us as much as it falls to anyone else. Sikhs contributed greatly to keeping Britain free from German occupation during two world wars. During Word War I, in the Battle of Lausanne alone, 60,000 Sikhs died and over the course of two world wars, 100,000 Sikhs became shaheeds. The righteousness of these wars is debatable, but it is beyond debate that these shaheeds died and fought not for themselves but for those who would follow them and their Dharm. Yes, Sikh youth might end up paying a heavy price for the debt that American foreign policy and Middle Eastern terrorism have accrued - but since when have Sikhs not been willing to carry the burdens of others?

Sikhs Americans must also realize that by portraying or emphasizing ourselves as a self-absorbed and fearful community that has little concern for contributing to what is occurring outside of it, we risk leaving this situation worse off then where we came in. Are these the hallmarks of a noble Panth, do they elicit respect and admiration from others? If we succeed, however, in demonstrating the true character of Sikhs - courageousness, generosity, compassion and a tremendous sense of service - to America by asking not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for it, then we shall surely come out of our current crisis a stronger, more empowered and worthy Panth whose contributions to safeguarding the idea of America, nurturing its spiritual underpinnings and protecting other innocent Americans from attack will never be forgotten. History lies before us unwritten and unknown, will the Sikhs of America demonstrate that they are a great people or will they retreat into the dark recesses of the times ahead?