:dateline:Stanford University and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) have jointly published a report on “Turban Myths”. �A number of key findings are included in the research which has been made available on SALDEF’s website. �SALDEF is the oldest Sikh American civil rights and educational organization. It focuses on empowering Sikh Americans through advocacy, education and media relations. �Following is the press release issued by SALDEF in regards to its research on turban myths.
We’re proud to present to you the first-ever nationwide public perception assessment of Sikh Americans: �”Turban Myths.” �On Dec. 14th, Sikh Americans from across the country gathered at Stanford University Graduate School of Business where Stanford researchers, working in collaboration with SALDEF, unveiled this groundbreaking research. �Our thinking was this: �if we don’t fully understand the awareness gaps about Sikhism, how can we effectively address them?
Read the full research report here.
Among the report’s key findings:
- Roughly 70% of the American public cannot identify a pictured Sikh man as a Sikh;
- About half of the public associate the turban with Islam, and about half think Sikhism is a sect of Islam;
- Anti-turban bias exists even among Americans with a greater understanding of Sikhism;
- To define the brand and change public perception of the turban, the community must invest in national media using a consistent and coherent message.
See the pictures below: �Sikh Americans gathered to hear the report’s findings and work together on constructive solutions. �Our goal for 2014: �to create the positive Sikh identity that is�lived�in our community but, as our report demonstrates, is not well understood beyond it.
Chardi Kala!
The SALDEF Team.
