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Get the foreign ducks out of here!
I am sorry to read the only comment offered by a reader so far. Americans are remarkably insensitive to other cultures. What else can you expect from a society which has a history of barely two and a half centuries? Americans should learn to respect other cultures and their symbols. Much as one may disagree with the obsolescence of things like dastaar, kirpan and karaa, it is a wearer's choice to wear them.
Disney was clearly wrong.
Insensitive Americans! The Sikhs can practice their religion freely in this country. Christians in their country are persecuted and even murdered. If I do not like what the boss wants me to do or wear I will find an other boss, this is my choice. All the demands from Foreign inspired groups are just an effort to recolonize America. It is time for Paul Revere to start riding again.
In America anyone can wear whatever they want or change their appearance to whatever they want. However, if an employer has a dress code, the employee must abide by it as a condition of employment. If the employee does not like the dress code, he can find an employer that matches his tastes or allows his choices. But no employer should be forced to hire someone whose appearance, in the employer's mind, will be a problem in conducting his business. This is a free country, free for employers and employees equally.
There is a clear danger in the current trend to embrace every foreign culture in America over our own (Balkanization). It is inherent on any immigrant coming to this country to become part of the "melting pot" that America has been traditionally. That means learning the language and customs here. They should respect the traditions and customs of the country they have chosen to live in, not the other way around. The same is expected of immigrants in other countries around the world.
Balkanizing the US will continue to create warring factions within the country. It does no one any good to pit Hispanics against Afro-Americans against Korean-Americans or any other hyphenated group. Only when we all see ourselves as Americans first and anything else as only our past heritage does this country truly thrive enabling everyone to prosper and live in peace.
As a proud American citizen born and raised here, I'm surprised at the level of ignorance shown in these comments.
Most of the arguments made can be dismissed by noting that it's illegal to deny someone a job based upon the color of his or her skin. Religious practice is no different in America -- an immutable characteristic protected by the first amendment.
I encourage all readers to watch the following video, produced by the United States Department of Justice, used to train the TSA and law enforcement groups with regard to interactions with Sikhs. As you can see, Sikhs are just as American as anyone else.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crs/video/ocg-video.htm
Also, if you look in to US History, you might notice that in the 1840s, Catholics were under attack from the Protestants, who wanted to preserve true American traditions and ideals. The Protestants even burned down a Catholic church. The Catholics fought for their rights to practice their faith and eventually won. Since that time many communities -- African Americans, Jews, Asian Americans, and others have all challenged inequality, and the Sikhs are doing the same, as they rightly should, in accord with the great American traditions and ideals of fairness, justice, and the pursuit of happiness.
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