This project matters.
Outside of India, there are very few Sikhs seen in media. Due to the lack of representation and the statistically small global population of Sikhs as a whole, the vast majority of Americans and the world at large know almost nothing about Sikhs. Lack of knowledge is not only an education and awareness issue, but historically is the root of many issues such as xenophobia, intolerance, racism and violent hate crimes.
What little knowledge people may have about Sikhs most often boils down to two things: a turban and a beard. It’s no secret that this surface-level in Western media is often depicted in films as the villain or the clown. This is the image that needs to be transformed - and that’s exactly what Sikh Captain America, Vishavjit Singh, is set out to do.
Sikh Captain America is changing the narrative on Sikhs (and anyone else who may not look “traditionally American”) — creating a new American hero that challenges societal expectations and norms. This film also follows his journey of accepting his own identity.
Although Sikhs have made immense progress in public-facing jobs, there is still so much work to be done. It’s important to fight for more accurate, prominent and positive representation in media and in doing so create a more poignant, relatable and expansive space for Sikhs in the world.
People have grown up idolizing superheroes for decades. Sikh Captain America May not fight evil monsters, but he takes on hate and intolerance that are sadly still very much part of our contemporary society. That’s why an animated documentary, much like the superhero cartoons we’ve all grown up watching, is such a unique way to raise awareness about Sikhs domestically and internationally in a style that people of all cultures and ages can enjoy.