We are so excited to share another initiative with you all - public service announcements for Valley PBS, the public broadcasting station based in California's Central Valley, that showcase realistic interactions between Sikh children and non-Sikh children.

The primary goal of this effort is to educate non-Sikh children about the visual identity of Sikhs and the faith’s core belief in equality in order to prevent bullying.

The four 15-second PSAs target kids aged 2-10 years old and explore common questions kids have about Sikh values, such as why Sikhs wear a turban and why many Sikhs have the same last name. The PSAs, airing during episodes of Calliou, Sesame Street and other popular PBS kids shows, explain that the Sikh Turban/Patka (headcovering often worn by Sikh males) is a reminder to treat everyone equally and with kindness.

“It is our mission to entertain, enrich and engage our Valley families and communities through the power of public media,” said Karen Musson, ValleyPBS Board Chairwoman. “At the Valley’s Preschool, Classroom, Stage for the Arts and Lens for Exploration, we believe these public service announcements will allow Sikh Americans to speak to their neighbors and ensure their faith’s beliefs and values are seen and heard by local area residents.”

These PSAs give us an opportunity to create positive perceptions of Sikhs at a young age before bias or prejudice can be formed. If you are interested in having these PSAs air on your local PBS station, please email us at [email protected].