Lesson Plan, Activity, Video On The Road: Sikh American Truck Drivers

Overview:
Sikh Americans account for an estimated 20% of the country’s truck drivers. In this lesson, students will explore the role of Sikh truck drivers in the United States. They will learn about the significant contributions to the industry, challenges faced, and key beliefs of Sikhism that can impact experiences by Sikh American truckers. They will examine the conditions of Sikh immigration and settlement in the United States and understand the factors that lead Sikh immigrants to pursue trucking as a means to make a living and build community in the United States.
Lesson Objectives:
Students will:

• Explain the significant presence of Sikhs in the American trucking industry.
• Examine the experiences, contributions, and challenges of Sikh truckers.
• Analyze how Sikh truck drivers maintain their faith and cultural identity on the road.
• Create a proposal to address challenges Sikh truckers face at work.