Cavan Images via Getty Images The Sikh religious practice of keeping kesh means that hair or beards must be kept uncut. Focusing on beards as a problem forces a spotlight on Sikh health-care workers. Praising the shaving of Sikh beards draws on the “model minority” label to pressure Sikhs into conforming to Western ideals of what is deemed normal. I cannot stand by and allow such a key aspect of the Sikh faith to be reduced to some aesthetic decision. But as an educator on the Sikh faith, I cannot stand by and allow such a key aspect of the Sikh faith to be reduced to some aesthetic decision playing second fiddle to selfless service.

Source: Huffington Post May 26, 2020 13:02 UTC