Mandeep Sethi - Fearlessly addressing issues in today's society
How have you been an active Sikh throughout the years?
Growing up, I attended the Ujjaldidar Singh Memorial Foundation in Los Angeles, where I learned to play harmonium and tabla, as well as speak, read, and write Punjabi. With the Foundation, I did kirtan at numerous events, as well as volunteer at different causes within the city, particularly on Skid Row. The Foundation helped me realize my roots and the true meaning of a community, as it classes were held in different peoples' houses and taught by volunteers.
What influenced you to start emceeing?
I used to write poetry when I was younger, and my English teacher in the 8th grade asked us to put our poetry to music. I linked up with my friend Philip Seong, and from there started emceeing and making hip-hop music. Listening to real hip-hop, like Das FX, KRS-One, and Freestyle Fellowship among others, I was inspired to make sure I stay true to the roots and origins of hip-hop and its 4 elements. As well as emceeing, I involve myself in the other elements as well, practicing b-boying, and upping my game in graffiti and dj-ing. Hip-Hop is a culture that essentially defines my existence.
What is the message you try to get across?
The message I am trying to get across is that we live in a capitalist society where me must burn down the shackles that hold our minds and hearts captive, and fight against the oppression that systematically destroys people of color in the United States. I speak on such issues revolving around social justice, equality, and revolution. Revolution can only be achieved when we as a collective people realize our power, and our position in this white-dominant, hegemonic power structure. I also talk about issues that have to do with hip-hop, and the way that corporations have taken it over and spread it as a mysoginistic, bling-bling culture. I definetely incorporate the roots of the culture, as well as my roots as a Punjabi Sikh.
What can kids do to try and spread this message?
Kids around the world must be taught that everything they see on television, read in newspapers and magazines, and hear on the radio is placed there in a fabricated fashion, specifically pushing issues that are completely irrelevant to our lives. The first step is to get your source of news from somewhere other than the typical corporate news outlets, as they have ties to corporations and governments that are pushing racist and oppressive agendas. Kids, open your mind and understand that we see around on television is not reality, and is created to keep us in fear. Some trusted outlets for news include gnn.tv, the Guerilla News Network, as well as indymedia.org, a good site for independent news across the world.
What advice would you recommend for our upcoming generations of Sikhs?
To the upcoming generations of Sikhs, we must understand our roots while placing them in the context of the present, applying the same philosophies and teachings our Gurus passed on to us in a manner that is relevant to the struggles we are facing, wherever we are in the world. Understand that the government of India has historically oppressed our people is also key, as we must bring light to the issues of the 1984 Genocide of our community. We must keep our heads strong, and apply our knowledge in ways that we will only better ourselves.
Also, know that there are numerous outlets for your passions, and don't get stuck in a chase for money with your career. What happens to so many of our brothers and sisters saddens me, because in a quest for making "good money" to have a "stable career", we lose our understanding of ourselves and our passions. Stay independent-minded, and always keep an ear to the underground.
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