Dear Friends,
I’m thrilled to invite you to our upcoming free screening and double feature of the animated short American Sikh and the documentary Colonel Kalsi: Beyond the Call. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 15th, 6-8:30PM ET, at the American Arbitration Association, 150 East 42nd Street. Register here to join us virtually or in person!
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with American Sikh’s creator, Vishavjit Singh, and the subject of Colonel Kalsi: Beyond the Call, Colonel Kamaljeet Kalsi. We’ll dive deeper into the films and explore how ethical representation of religion in the media can build empathy across communities. The program will also highlight Representing Religion, Tanenbaum’s latest initiative connecting storytellers with resources by and about religious, spiritual, and faith communities.
American Sikh is an animated autobiographical short that follows Vishavjit Singh’s experience with bigotry as a South Asian American and Sikh man  in the U.S. and his journey to becoming a figure of acceptance in a superhero costume. The film encourages us to think about icons of popular culture and representation as key pathways towards building a better, more inclusive society.
Colonel Kalsi: Beyond the Call shows Dr. Kamal Kalsi’s journey as he enlists in the U.S. military and seeks a religious exemption to uniform requirements that force him to give up practices essential to his Sikh identity. The film follows Colonel Kalsi as he’s granted an exemption by the U.S. Army. Colonel Kalsi subsequently dedicates himself to ensuring that Sikhs serving in the armed services receive the same essential recognition of their identity.
I hope you’ll join us. Get your free ticket at the link here!
In anticipation,
Rev. Mark Fowler, CEO, Tanenbaum