Sikh-Punjabi Chair brings diversity issues to New Zealand conference

Jaideep Singh speaks to Cal State East Bay audience.

June 3, 2010 2:30pm

Jaideep Singh, Sabharwal Chair in Sikh and Punjabi Studies and assistant professor of ethnic studies, is in New Zealand to deliver the keynote address at the June 5-6 “1st Sikh Conference” on multiple identities, individual rights, and collective future.

Singh will be addressing the difficulties still encountered by a community that is both a racial and a religious minority in the U.S. – Sikh Americans – despite the fact that much of the nation believes we now live in a "post-racial era," after the election of an African American president.

The conference is being presented by the Sikh Council of New Zealand, with 20 other organizations, including the National Bank of New Zealand and the Office of Ethnic Affairs of Government of New Zealand.

An estimated 250-300 persons are expected to attend the conference.