USA TODAY

Letter to the editor:

Since 9/11, there have been hundreds of hate crimes against Sikhs as a result of Sikhs being mistaken for Muslims or terrorists. These hate crimes range from harassment to premeditated murder. Since President Trump took office, there have been at least seven hate crimes against Sikhs in the U.S., often a result of a Sikh’s beard and/or turban.

To alleviate misconception of Sikhs being followers of Islam or Muslims, one must know what a Sikh is. A Sikh is not defined by his culture, the family he was born into or his physical appearance. And the way he dresses does not make him a Sikh. The mind is called a Sikh. To be a Sikh is to be a learner. A person who wants to learn what the mind is and meet God is a Sikh. Anyone, regardless birthplace, gender, the language they speaks or the way he looks, who makes the spiritual journey towards meeting God while alive is a Sikh. A journey that ends by merging completely into God.

Jagdeep Deol; San Jose

Policing the USA

Upsetting our allies

Facebook comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

Is President Trump going to slap a travel ban on us Aussies as well — after bashing the deal made to receive refugees held in Oceania?

So much for being war allies. This guy wouldn’t understand the concept of “mateship” and having someone with you in the trenches, would he?

— Paul Torcello