[TattoodGirl]

Read the article...he went through basic already.

I am just calling it as i see it. I dont think it would be a problem if it was anyone else. the majority of Sikhs are non-white and I feel with the members on this forum it is a racial thing and nothing more.

[roger-roger]

He still has the rest to finish, he is an officer. He has done the first little bit of training he still has much much more to finish.
I should have said the rest of his trade training, instead of basic, my bad.

[TattoodGirl]

Well he certain hasnt been excepted by certain CF members on this forum. I hope that isnt the majority consesus of the CF, however, I would lose alot of respect, for the CF, if it were.

I will ask you as i asked someone else, that couldnt answer....Do you know the history of Sikh's in past WW's and what they sacrificed? and why was it fine then for them to serve wearing a Turban and not now?

**editted: cuz i suck at spelling

[roger-roger]

When that was accepted by the British it was a way of control. They allowed them to wear the turban and pray to their non-Christian God, so they could drive up the recruitment rate. It was not so much a reward but a compromise, it was also way to tell the difference between the British Masters and the Indians. The Sikh's were Indians in India; they did not recruit Sikh's from London and let them wear the turbans. When those pictures were taken the highest rank a Sikh was allowed to hold was similar to a Sergeant, and he could only order other Sikh. He was never allowed to command whites, and all the officers in the regiment where white British soldiers. It wasn't until sometime after India and Pakistan gained independence from British Colonial rule where Sikh soldiers allowed wear the turban in uniform outside of their home country.
Although the Sikh regiments did fight in the pacific theatre of WW2, and protected British colonial interests in the decades after. This does entitle them to have some claim to wear their turban in the British military. I am not saying that Sikhs are not wonderful people or would not make good soldiers. If you give special consideration to their religion, which singles them out among the rest of Canada's soldiers, it does not integrate them into military culture. It only separates them from it. Really I do not have a major issue with it, but when people are given special status and separated from the rest they cannot have a grievance with not being treated the same as everyone else.
I am not trying to say that if they put on a turban they are open season to be oppressed or hated. If you continue to make a point out of how different a person is though it does not fight racism or bigotry, the best way to combat these things is to show that he or she is the same as everyone else. In the military that is wearing the same uniform. Now I do not know what this guy is like, maybe he wants to stand out and be different, that’s fine. If he wants to be accepted by his peers and subordinates as a regular soldier, it will take a lot of work. I know I started on this thread the wrong way, it’s a much more complex issue then I gave it credit for in the beginning. I don’t think he should have to give up his religion to join the military, or to sacrifice any of his values. He has also picked a difficult road for himself, he is going to feel alienated until he finally gets to his regiment and people really get to know him. If he sticks with his choice though all his training and stays in I will respect him for that. He is going to be treated differently, and he is going to have to fight for everything he gets in his career, because if he doesn’t people will assume that he is getting ahead due to his turban.
I dont see why the turban could not be ceremonial, and the durag be worn everyday under a beret. The durag, I assume, is what he wears under his helmet.
*** the edit has been highlighted

[TattoodGirl]

I appreciate that. I am sure he will do just fine and I am sure he realizes that, minorities face that in all professions, just as women in non-traditional roles, Gays in certain fields and Sikhs in the RCMP. He is accommodating to the fact he is required to wear a helmet and stated he will wear a smaller turban if it isnt comfortable.

I dont think being a Sikh makes him any different from you or I, but I also grew up in Vancouver, where it is way more multicultural than most areas in Canada. That is why I dont see a big Whoop in all this. I just find it quite disheartening by some folks comments on it.

[roger-roger]

In a prefect world he wouldnt, but when everyone around you wears a beret, and you wear a 8 inch turban you will be treated differently. That is just how people work, if you get a tattoo on your face people will treat you differently, they shouldnt but they will. Once it becomes common to see a turban, he wont be treated differently, I am positive of that. Which is why I am sure once he gets to his regiment and people get to know him it will be business as usual.

[TattoodGirl]

$1:

I dont see why the turban could not be ceremonial, and the durag be worn everyday under a beret. The durag, I assume, is what he wears under his helmet.

thought you didnt have a major issue with it. Well we can agree to disagree.

[TattoodGirl]

Eisensapper Eisensapper:

In a prefect world he wouldnt, but when everyone around you wears a beret, and you wear a 8 inch turban you will be treated differently. That is just how people work, if you get a tattoo on your face people will treat you differently, they shouldnt but they will.

I have numerous tattoos and no one has ever treated me differently. then again if they did they wouldnt be worth my time of day, because they are intolerant of others differences.

[roger-roger]

I dont, its just a suggestion, its just after thinking about it for a while, I have started to really feel bad for the guy. It would be like if I was gay, and everyone knew in it the regiment, it would make my job very complicated.

[roger-roger]

TattoodGirl TattoodGirl:

Eisensapper Eisensapper:

In a prefect world he wouldnt, but when everyone around you wears a beret, and you wear a 8 inch turban you will be treated differently. That is just how people work, if you get a tattoo on your face people will treat you differently, they shouldnt but they will.

I have numerous tattoos and no one has ever treated me differently. then again if they did they wouldnt be worth my time of day, because they are intolerant of others differences.

I have tattoos as well, but I doubt that when people look at your face they see your tattoos. It would be the same if you had 2 inch spacers in your ears or nose, or if you wore stark white contacts.

[SigPig]

Eisensapper Eisensapper:

Thats a bad idea man, the CF will never accept it. You cannot give a religion its own regiment, thats insanity!

Well, as an example, the British Army has a dedicated Scotish regiment. It could be a similar idea. But i dont think there are enough sikhs in the military to allow it. Not saying its a perfect idea, but its not compleetely out there.

[roger-roger]

The scots are not a religion though, Im sure if wanted to I could probably join the Scots. I couldnt join an all Sikh regiment, which is a major reason why the CF would not allow it.

[TattoodGirl]

Dont feel bad for the guy. Just give him a chance regardless of what he believes or wears. Hell if he wants to serve his adopted country, I say all the power to him. I also think he will be a great role model for young Indo kids. We have a big problem out here with them getting mixed up in the gansta life and if he inspires just one to change their life path, that would be huge.

and there is nothing wrong with piercings either...geezz now you are giving me a complex

[roger-roger]

Heh piercing isnt bad, its just large spacers that gets me. I wouldnt assume its his adopted country he is probably first or second generation. I dont really know if it will be a deterrent for gang violence though, unless the kids wear their turbans while gangbanging.

[TattoodGirl]

You didnt read the article did you? he came here in 1999 from India. No, most have turned from their religion but sometimes it takes someone doing something like this to make kids think differently. Shows them there is more to life than getting taken out for a few bucks.