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CULTURAL
DIVERSITY
"....No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive.." (GANDHI)
"...Three-fourths of the miseries
and misunderstandings in the world
will disappear if we step into
the shoes of our adversaries and,
understand their standpoint.." (GANDHI)
"...No two leaves were alike,
and yet there was no antagonism
between them or between the branches
on which they grew..". (GANDHI)
"....Learning takes us through
many stages in life but it fails
us utterly in the hours of danger and, temptation..".
(GANDHI)
".....Darkness cannot drive out darkness;only light can do that. Hate
cannot drive out hate;only love can do that.." ( Martin Luther King)
"..Let us dedicate ourselves
to what the Greeks wrote so many
years ago: to tame the savageness
of man and, make gentle the life
of this world.." (Robert F.
Kennedy)
The Documentary
Drama Film- Made for TV-Program- "MISTAKEN
INDENTITY"
The first digital film, "MISTAKEN
IDENTITY: Sikhs in America" is
a six-part TV series "celebrating
cultural diversity in to-day's religiously
pluralistic world."
It goes beyond the shock and common
wrath that consumed America in the
immediate aftermath of September 11.
Terrorism of another sort - racism
took hold of the American character
and for a time corrupted its morality.
In the face of such adversity the
cherished American ideals that guard
the cornerstone of society became
wounded by the victimization and racial
profiling of fellow Americans - demonizing
those -who simply resembled the terrorists.
This docu-drama is produced exclusively
for mainstream North Americans and
non-Sikhs worldwide to understand
their Sikhs neighbors, Sikhism and
what Sikh Americans have contributed
to the USA since the 1880s.
Purpose
The objective of this first TV program
is to inform and educate mainstream
America and non-Sikhs worldwide about
Sikhs and Sikhism. Host & Investigative
journalist represents the voice of
Young American after 9/11, by demystifying
the enigma of Sikh Americans, while
discussing their historical experiences.
She shares the hopes and desires of
the American population, especially
the more idealistic younger generation,
from all walks of life and backgrounds,
who seek to close ranks against bigotry
and hatred, taking a united stand
against terrorism.
The
Sikh Americans
Sikhs in America are living all over
the United States, with strong work
ethics inherited as spiritual believers
of Sikhism - the 5th largest and newest
religion in the world. (22 million
Sikhs are settled in India, the United
Kingdom, Canada, Africa, Australia,
New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand,
etc.,).
Accomplishment
This film-made-for TV, triumphs in
breaking down misconceptions and cultural
barriers due to ignorance and fear.
It is a fine example of bridging the
gap and informing mainstream American
media with the presence of Host Amanda
Gesine, director/producer Vinanti
Sarkar and Philip Marshall (4-time
Emmy award winning editor). It won
two first prizes: The Golden Lion
Award and the Remi Gold Statuette
for "creative excellence".
Please click
here to preview the film.
Core Feeelings
The film spotlights the experience
of Sikh Americans (as one example
of America's religiously pluralistic
population), using the post 9/11 climate
as a backdrop. It charts Amanda's
personal journey of discovering her
Sikh neighbors.
She stated: "September 11 changed
us all, the question is whether it
changed us for better or for worse
?
It was NOT only a wake up call - but
also a sense of innocence lost and
the coming of age of my generation.
The Sikh story - is a small fragment
of America's multicultural diversified
population that - not only needs to
be told, but celebrated.
Worldwide, populations of new immigrants
share this reality."
The Cause
After 9/11, Amanda Gesine saw the
light at the end of the tunnel and
sought to break new ground in a unique
TV series - the Sikh American story
is one example - demanding greater
understanding for knowledge on the
six major religiously pluralistic
world population in the new millennium.
She saw the demonization of the turban
and beard had created a huge backlash
against Sikh Americans.
She concluded: " if making this
TV program will save one life
then we will have made a difference.
I believe in this project and if I
can help one American understand
about the Sikhs, I hope it will have
a domino affect"
Please click
here to preview the film.
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