Sikh Americans and President Trump
Creation of a just human society is the Sikhi political aim. As loyal citizens of the countries they live in, Sikhs should fully participate in the political process to achieve that goal. It is most satisfactory that some organisations are doing just that while seeking Panthic accountability from Sikhs engaged in local and national politics. For that reason Sikhs should remain linked with global Panthic thought through transnational networks.
How diaspora Sikhs approach local issues and challenges depends on the national politics of the countries they live in. The most recent good example is the Sikh Americans who have adopted a positive welcoming approach to President Donal Trump following his election victory for a second term.
This week we look at how the surprise return of Donald Trump as the 47 President of the USA affects the future of more recent immigrant communities in the country. Sikh Americans need to understand President Trump as a person and the reality behind his election rhetoric. He has a complex and controversial personality profile. It is generally accepted that while he is bold, competitive, and self-assured, he is also prone to impulsivity, risk-taking, and difficulty in accepting criticism or opposing viewpoints.
He believes that America has been too soft on democratic allies, too hard on authoritarian regimes and that immigrants are the enemy within. Some believe that this unique combination of traits has led to a polarizing effect on public opinion and a significant impact on American politics.
However, most believe that the more radical and divisive policies which he threatens, for example against illegal immigrants and in areas like environment, tariffs and defence, are not necessarily what he will do in practice. Also, the democratic checks and balances are there. Despite being a convicted felon, this time he is a much more mature politician. These are issues and concerns which will continue to be discussed in the media as the world watches on with some apprehension.
Sikh Americans need to approach Trump with a clear understanding of his personality. He is likely to appreciate the qualities the Sikhs are known for as a law-abiding, self-sufficient, net-contributing global community. They have proven themselves to be loyal citizens wherever they live. However, it is also understood that their loyalty to any temporal authority is circumscribed by their loyalty to the Sikhi cause of promoting an egalitarian just society.
Over the centuries, Sikhs living in countries like Malaya and East Africa have been well-liked and trusted people due to their upright and generous character moulded by simple Sikh teachings. They have got on well with diverse communities and senior politicians. In fact, Anglo-Sikh relations were based on English respect for the Sikhs.
Sikh approach towards politicians like Donald Trump should be dignified and not khushamdi (trying to please), a trait otherwise attributed to people from the Indian subcontinent. Sikh role in World Wars is well known and appreciated even by right wing politicians.
Yet, President Donald Trump is likely to remain unpredictable and Sikh Americans should remain vigilant about the impact of some of his more controversial policies which can be divisive and lead to unrest.
We do understand the phobias about immigrant communities in Western countries. Liberal immigration policies of Western countries based on international human rights laws have been exploited by those running from poverty and corruption in own countries.
The swing to the right and even extreme right, while understandable, requires continual watch.
Gurmukh Singh OBE
Principal Civil Servant retd (UK)
E-mail: sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk
Website for articles: https://www.sikhmissionarysociety.org/