Offline Politics / Online Shaming: Honor Codes, Modes of Resistance, and Responses to Sikh Gurdwara Politics

Abstract

This article investigates notions of “shaming,” “resistance,” and “honor” within the Sikh community from an historical perspective and investigates the “online shaming” that of late has been taking place within a number of ethno-specific “online spaces.” It focuses on Sikhs’ and specifically Sikh youths’ contributions and responses. Gurdwara brawls that have taken place over contentious issues have been often filmed and posted on social networking sites; this article analyzes the “online shaming” that appears to be taking place during times of off-line conflict within gurdwaras in North America.