King 5 News – by Eric Wilkinson
AUBURN, Wash. — Like all religions, the Sikh faith is steeped in tradition. One of the most revered is the carrying of a Kirpan, a sword or dagger, at all times.
“People will even wear it in the shower. It’s kind of hard for others to understand,” said Jaswinder Singh, spokesman for the Gurudwara Sikh Center of Seattle.
The concept of the Kirpan is taught to children at an early age. The dagger is considered an instrument of social justice.
“For the people who are formally initiated to the Kirpan, it’s very near and dear,” said Singh.
But is it appropriate to bring to school?
A few weeks ago at Auburn’s Gildo Rey Elementary, a Sikh family approached the school telling them their little boy would be carrying a Kirpan every day.
That didn’t sit well with some.
One school volunteer named Shelby, who asked her last name not be used, said respecting religion goes too far if it compromises student safety.
“There’s no way I’d go back until the knife was gone,” she said.
Shelby does not volunteer at Gildo Rey.
“They can’t take that thing into the airport. TSA would be all over it. Why is a school any different?” she asked.
District administrators are citing state and federal guidelines that allow certain exceptions to Washington’s “zero tolerance” for weapons policy.
They say there are plenty of Sikhs, both students and staff, who have carried Kirpans to school for years without incident.
In this case, the knife is to be kept under the child’s clothes at all times.
“The knife can’t come out. It can’t be shown around. It needs to be underneath their clothing,” said Auburn Assistant Superintendent of Schools Ryan Foster. “That allows them to express their religion without jeopardizing anyone’s feeling of safety. If there are any problems, we will take it to the family, but we don’t expect any.”
http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/10/22/sikh-kirpan-auburn-schools-knives/17746565/
But a 1″ plastic gun carried by a Christian will get them expelled. Draw a picture of a weapon and get expelled. Point a finger like a gun and get expelled. What a crock. P.C. has completely ruined this country. I carried a pocket knife all through elementary and high school and stabbed no one. Arm all the kids and let them carry what they want. Those who are on anti-depressants or other mood altering drugs will be eliminated quicker when others can defend themselves. With that said I bet the bullying in school will be no more.
More hoplophobic reaction to a non-threat. Could the kirpa be used aggrssively? Sure. I could hypothesize a dozen scenarios where various tools could be used to cause injury. That doesn’t mean that it will actually occur.
c’ MON YA’LL,
YOU ALREADY KNOW WHY THEY WANT THE GUNS.
ALL THIS OTHER FALLDER-ALL IS WINDOW DRESSING.
TYRANTS FEAR THE GUNS IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE THEY WISH TO TREAT IN SUCH A WAY AS TO MAKE THE PEOPLE WANT TO SHOOT THEM.
OH! It’s ok to bring a knife to school but don’t you DARE draw a picture of a gun or bring a toy gun in the school. So help me, you will get tasered and be put in prison if you happen to survive. Makes perfect sense! 🙄
Unflippinbelievable…..
speaking of tazers. i wonder where i can get one worth the money.