How do I respond ?

asked 2018-03-04 09:02:26 -0500

Anonymous

updated 2018-03-05 10:39:30 -0500

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I am even scared to say it on here. But how do I repond to Punjabi people who ask me about my last name ? They are obviously jatts and I am not.

This has been an issue I have faced my entire life , I am born into a Sikh family but we are of a lower caste

it took a lot of struggle from my family to rise above , all my family consist of doctors and I am becoming a doctor right now.

But this question has still always haunted me , so what's ur last name? What are you? This all comes from Punjabi people. They are not going to see how smart I am , they are not going to see my spiritual discipline, they won't see my dedication . that one question , when asked , devalues my accomplishments completely , I don't even know what to say anymore . I used to make excuses (you name it and I have given all of them)

But right now as I am getting older I am exhausted , please tell me how do I respond as a Sikh , when Punjabi people ask me about my caste?

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answered 2018-03-07 18:59:10 -0500

strongKaur
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I like some of the responses here that others have written. But I will add that you need to make sure that you don’t believe other people. Don’t let their words bring you down or get to you. If they don’t see how smart you or, if they don’t see your spiritual discipline, it is their eyes that are not seeing the truth. That is no fault of your own. You know what I mean? It says more about them and nothing about you. It is really amazing you are becoming a doctor. Just know within yourself that caste doesn’t matter. I could be wrong but what I am hearing between the lines here is that there are hurt feelings from what people have said, and maybe some shame there too. No one can devalue you. No one can take away the work you have done. Their opinions of you do not make you any less. So I’d say work on strengthening the inner self to withstand the emotions that come up for you when that happens so that your answers can become just a reflex natural response. You don’t have to talk at length on this issue. It’s fair to change the topic. You also don’t have to make excuses for who you are and what family you were born into with what name. So I think when people ask about caste, you can simply say “Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us that caste is not important, these are the teachings of my religion and therefore I will not discuss this.”

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I find this really helpful. I do not get questioned about caste, but sometimes feel devalued regarding other more trivial matters. Instead of working on my inner strength, I end up thinking poorly of myself. Your advice here about building inner strength would help me a lot. Thank you Strong Kaur!

sue333 ( 2018-03-07 23:50:11 -0500 )edit

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no problem :)

strongKaur ( 2018-03-08 21:45:37 -0500 )edit

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answered 2018-03-04 10:00:53 -0500

pav
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Simply say you don't believe in a caste, as you believe everyone is equal in Gods eyes. If people ask for your last name say its singh or kaur depending on what gender you are.

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Nicely put, and totally in keeping with Guru Nanak's intentions.

sue333 ( 2018-03-05 00:08:46 -0500 )edit

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answered 2018-03-06 04:05:20 -0500

sanjlon
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Tell everyone that you are a Sikh Soilder! A Sikh Warrior and a Fighter! Tell them you are the Guru's Sikh! Tell them that Guruji has blessed you for been born in a Sikh family and being born in this Paanth! Tell them your soul is what Guruji is looking at not what caste you are born in! tell them you are a Khalsa and need be become Amrithari and use Khalsa as your new surname! then there are no surnames no castes no differneces between rich or poor just a Pure Sikh soul immersed in the Guru's Shabad! You can also change your surname to Khalsa and when the time is right as per Wahegurujis blessings you can become Amrithari! Waheguruji bless this child, this person and her family of doctors! you are doing well and dont worry much about what people think! they are not providing you with food education a bed shelter and happiness? take care! bhul chuk maff!

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answered 2018-10-14 21:21:36 -0500

bphanjra
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Simple say your caste or last name with pride. Why are you ashamed of belonging to a caste?

There are many non-Jatt sikh's who change their surname to Jatt surnames once they move abroad. That is really shameful because they are denying their origin and caste/ethnicity. You can be proud of any caste that you belong to, nobody's lower or higher. Every person of any caste is equal in God's eyes, so why are you ashamed?

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answered 2018-10-14 22:07:59 -0500

This post is a wiki. Anyone with karma >100 is welcome to improve it.

Simple say your caste or last name with pride. Why are you ashamed of belonging to any caste?

There are many non-Jatt sikh's who change their surname to Jatt surnames once they move abroad. That is really shameful because they are denying their origin and caste/ethnicity. You can be proud of any caste that you belong to, nobody's lower or higher. Every person of any caste is equal in God's eyes, so why are you ashamed?

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