Project Reflect - A High School Curriculum on Sikhism

To combat fear, ignorance and bias related to the Sikh identity, the Coalition seeks to create educational programs that foster understanding and compassion in the younger generations. We believe that working with an entire school district is an exceptional opportunity to foster systemic change. By beginning the slow and difficult process of initiating dialogue with both young people and the educators that guide their development, we can help teach tolerance and understanding as a means of preventing long term bias.

Project Reflect is a community-based project that shares diverse cultures with others through education and conversation. The project has four primary goals:

• To provide accurate and compelling information about the culture, religion and experiences of Sikh, Arab and Muslim communities targeted post-September 11th
• To facilitate deepened "dialogue across difference" that seeks to bring out and challenge preconceived notions in a safe and constructive environment
• To assist school districts in developing better policies and procedures to address discrimination and bullying in schools
• To develop tools that can be used nationwide to facilitate deepened dialogue

Project Reflect reaches out to high school students, their parents and teachers in the local communities - providing them with an opportunity to discuss issues related to race, ethnicity and color through workshops and training sessions. These serve as the tools needed to foster better understanding about affected communities. .

The Sikh Coalition partnered with Hate Free Zone of Washington, Chaya, Arab American Coalition and the Somali community to produce this curriculum. The Sikhism section deals with basic beliefs and practices; articles of faith, including the 5 K's and the turban; history of Sikhs both in South Asia and North America; and common misperceptions about the community.

Currently, eight schools within the Kent school district in the state of Washington are testing the curriculum.
If successful, the program and materials could serve as a model for Washington and other states across the United States. While excellent materials developed by specific groups for different populations do exist, there is currently not a comprehensive curriculum addressing post-9/11 backlash across all of these different communities. The curriculum being developed includes lessons, videos, resources guides and significant additional materials to assist schools and teachers.