Posted on 04/03/2005 11:16:08 AM PDT by wesley_windam-price
A Canadian radio station was formally reprimanded Wednesday after one of its presenters insulted immigrants to Canada and then said the Sikhs of northern India were "a gang of bozos."
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council said the item on Montreal's CKAC-FM was "abusive and unduly discriminatory" and ordered the station to make a public apology.
Immigration is a sensitive issue in Canada, one of the few western countries that still accepts large numbers of immigrants each year.
In a show broadcast in December 2003, CKAC-FM presenter Pierre Mailloux told listeners that immigrants who came to Canada should abandon their habits and traditions.
"You cultural communities come from a wacko country. You live a wacko culture. Don't bring it with you. That's the message to convey," he said.
Later in the show he remarked: "I flee northern India because the Sikhs are a gang, a gang of bozos, and then I bring all that with me. No, no, you really don't get it. If you flee your country because it makes no sense, then don't bring those senseless things with you."
The standards council said that while freedom of expression laws entitled Mailloux to express his opposition to wide-scale immigration, he had gone too far with his anti-Sikh comments.
"(We) consider that the host is entitled to espouse his chauvinistic intolerance until such time as his disrespect leaks into individual races and nationalities, as it did when he referred to the Sikhs as 'a gang of bozos'," it said.
The radio station said Mailloux had shown "manifest ignorance of the immigration policies and procedures in Canada" and said it had told him to "show more compassion and reserve concerning immigrants."
Gotta admit, sometimes I like Sikh humor.
I don't think many people could tell apart a Sikh from a Muslim from a Daoist priest from a Hindu when they are all wearing traditional garb. The differences are obvious ...actually exceedingly so .....but many people do not know the differences.
Inasmuch as the Sikhs don't have their own "Sikh state" in India, they're not a nationality, and inasmuch as their origins are among the lower castes in the general Indian population, they aren't really a race. The very essence of their being is religion, but the Canadians don't really count that as a legitimate religion.
Look for the beards!
I'm probably as guilty of that as anyone. I've not studied those sects/religions much and actually don't know much about them.
this is just sikh.
"Later in the show he remarked: "I flee northern India because the Sikhs are a gang, a gang of bozos, and then I bring all that with me. No, no, you really don't get it. If you flee your country because it makes no sense, then don't bring those senseless things with you.""
Well said. Frankly if you can't tell the difference between a Sikh and a muslim, you're an idiot.
Have you ever travelled outside the U.S.?
Only to Mexico.
The good thing is your are a good person with a good head on your shoulder. The problem comes when some loony sees someone wearing a turban and automatically assumes he is looking at Mullah Omar! The kook then pulls out a piece and blasts the Sikh dead in front of his family (actually happened).
Anyways, the following is an excerpt on Sikhism that should serve to provide you with an introduction to the faith. I don't think I need to include Islam since we are all quite informed when it comes to THAT 'faith.'
SIKHISM:
A way of life and philosophy well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago, The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind, social justice and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Who and What is a Sikh?
The word 'Sikh' in the Punjabi language means 'disciple', Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The wisdom of these teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are practical and universal in their appeal to all mankind.
"I observe neither Hindu fasting nor the ritual of the Muslim Ramadan month; Him I serve who at the last shall save. The Lord of universe of the Hindus, Gosain and Allah to me are one; From Hindus and Muslims have I broken free. I perform neither Kaaba pilgrimage nor at bathing spots worship; One sole Lord I serve, and no other. I perform neither the Hindu worship nor the Muslim prayer; To the Sole Formless Lord in my heart I bow. We neither are Hindus nor Muslims; Our body and life belong to the One Supreme Being who alone is both Ram and Allah for us." (Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Granth Sahib, Raga Bhairon pg. 1136)
"Any human being who faithfully believes in: (i) One Immortal Being, (ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh, (iii) The Guru Granth Sahib, (iv) The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and, (v) the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion is a Sikh." (Reht Maryada, Sikh Code of Conduct)
Philosophy and Beliefs
There is only One God. He is the same God for all people of all religions.
The soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the human form. The goal of our life is to lead an exemplary existence so that one may merge with God. Sikhs should remember God at all times and practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a balance between their spiritual obligations and temporal obligations.
The true path to achieving salvation and merging with God does not require renunciation of the world or celibacy, but living the life of a householder, earning a honest living and avoiding worldly temptations and sins.
Sikhism condemns blind rituals such as fasting, visiting places of pilgrimage, superstitions, worship of the dead, idol worship etc.
Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal in the eyes of God. It teaches the full equality of men and women. Women can participate in any religious function or perform any Sikh ceremony or lead the congregation in prayer.
History and Practices
The founder of the Sikh religion was Guru Nanak who was born in 1469. He preached a message of love and understanding and criticized the blind rituals of the Hindus and Muslims. Guru Nanak passed on his enlightened leadership of this new religion to nine successive Gurus. The final living Guru, Guru Gobind Singh died in 1708.
Oh, well as a general rule, muslims wear kafias (sheets), Sihks wear a turban looking thing. Sorry about the idiot statement at post 9, I regretted it as soon as I hit post. To me the difference is night and day, but then again I spent most of my adult life overseas.
Nice report. Thanks.
Around the neighborhood most of these guys relax in clothing similar to that their mother's dressed them in as teenagers.
With few exceptions most folks who come from India (including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bengla Desh) are so happy to be in America, it really doesn't matter what their religion is.
Don't sweat it. If that's the worst mistake you make, you've got me beat. LOL
We're all exposed to different things through our journies in life. One thing I regret was not serving in the service. It would have exposed me to more foreign experiences.
LOL
You ain't had no kinda' culture shock until you see a sari under a bomber jacket, and sometimes with earmuffs.
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