Maninderjit Singh, a 3L at University of Wisconsin Law School, believes in gratitude and optimism amidst hardship, a concept called “Chardi Kala,” or “Rising Spirits.”
A Brookfield, Wisconsin, native and double Badger, Singh is a Midwesterner at heart. But with parents hailing from northern India, his childhood was also rich with Punjabi-Sikh cultural influences. Like many second-generation American kids, his heritage grew to be an important part of his life as he grew older.
Singh’s decision to more fully embrace the Sikh religion came when he was about 13 years old, after a white supremacist gunman entered a gurdwara near his home, killing six people and injuring four.
“The resilience and love the community expressed in the aftermath of the shooting and the education that came from tragedy really inspired me,” said Singh. “Being Sikh is just a part of me now.”
But the transition wasn’t always easy. Wearing the markers of a Sikh man, including a turban and beard, made him a target of hate, so he began to develop a thick skin throughout high school and college.
As Singh learned to advocate for himself, he felt a deep desire to do the same for others through a career in law. To grow his legal knowledge, he enlisted as a Paralegal Specialist in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in December 2017 while studying at University of Wisconsin–Madison. Singh’s tough exterior was helpful against the racism he continually faced, whether subtle or overt. But after a particularly harmful racial slur was directed at Singh while in basic training, he was surprised when another trainee and a drill sergeant intervened on his behalf.
“That was really impactful,” he said. “It made me realize that if I can’t stick up for myself, how can I ever stick up for anybody else?”
“Everyone goes into law to change the world. Not all of us are going to do all that. Staying in ‘Chardi Kala’ — that’s another way we can all change our own world.” – Maninderjit Singh 3L
Continuing his journey after matriculating into UW Law School, Singh gained clinical experience as a 2L in the Wisconsin Innocence Project.
“Several cases still showed optimism and gratitude for the Innocence Project, their families and being alive to see another day,” said Singh. “Hearing those stories was humbling and really showed me how important gratitude is.”
Today, Singh looks for ways he can show up to life with bravery.
“Everyone goes into law to change the world,” he said. “Not all of us are going to do all that. Staying in ‘Chardi Kala’ — that’s another way we can all change our own world.”
By Mika Doyle