Sikh Temple Shooting, Oak Creek - 9 Years Later

An important historical note for Sikhs to remember in relation to the 2012 Oak Creek, WI mass shooting is that President Obama did not personally visit the victims as he did after other attacks. While Michelle Obama visited Oak Creek some weeks later, this was an exception.

— American Turban (@americanturban) August 6, 2021

Reeling from these attacks, US Sikhs invested heavily into demonstrating ourselves as a model US minority. But, a lesson to learn is that even our victims were somehow not considered good enough to those we consider allies. This has gone unaddressed in the nine years since.

— American Turban (@americanturban) August 6, 2021

It was perhaps difficult for US Sikhs to foresee at the time. The Oak Creek mass shooting was unprecedented for US Sikhs and we were inexperienced.

But, we have some experience now and it would behoove us to assess where we are today as a result of the aftermath of Oak Creek.

— American Turban (@americanturban) August 6, 2021

This horrific attack was such a shock to those in the Oak Creek area. All these years later, it's certainly not forgotten.

But, it's true that those in power dismissed it quickly then. Apparently, being a "model US minority" is not rewarded by the powerful. Apparently, there's no political gain in addressing the concerns of these successful, hard-working, loyal Americans.

The treatment of the U.S. Sikh community deserves consideration.