Harpinder made his way to his first class of the day, Cultural studies. Upon entering he was surprised to see his fellow classmates. The majority of them were definitely not the same students from his first day in the class. He checked the room number again to make sure he was in the right place.
Harpinder didn't pay too much attention to his fellow students, but the difference was obvious. Last class the majority of the students were white, now Dr. Martinez's class looked like "It's a Small World" brought to life. There were still a few white students in the class, but they were the minority. It seemed like each student was a representative of a different race. Sure it was normal for a few students to drop a class in the beginning of the semester, but this was extreme. Many of them must not have liked being forced to join culture clubs. Dr. Martinez himself seemed overjoyed to see his students, which struck Harpinder as odd. None of his professors were grouches, in fact most were nice. But none of his professors seemed to wear so much pride as they stood in front of their students, as if they made a great accomplishment.
"I have already received some feedback from the organizations you have joined" Dr. Martinez announced, "I can already see that many of you have made strides in learning about your organization's culture. Keep up the good work!"
A Japanese kid sitting behind Harpinder was speaking in a hushed voice to the student beside him, "Not too hard to learn when it's my own culture. Can you believe Dr. Martinez placed me in the Asian Student Alliance?"
"I know right?" the Middle Eastern man replied, "I got placed in the Muslim Student Association. People weren't kidding when they said this class would be an easy A".
Harpinder silently thought that they brought up a good point. If the point of the project was to learn about other cultures, why was he put in a Sikh organization when he is a Sikh? He is a Sikh... right? He started to feel just like this morning, when he was looking at the photo of his family. Things felt off, but he couldn't discern what it was. His thoughts were interrupted as Dr. Martinez started lecturing.
Before class ended Dr. Martinez reminded everyone, "Make sure you keep up attendance at your organization's meetings. You all still have much more to learn, and I'm sure your mentality will change more as a result. The presidents of each of your organizations will continue to inform you of your requirements. Have a great day". With that they were dismissed. Harpinder exited the building and passed the campus' grass field when a familiarly accented voice called him from behind, "Hey Bro, wait up!"
"Ravdeep, what's up?"
"The boys and I were playing a pickup game" Ravdeep pointed behind him at a mixed group of young men dribbling a soccer ball, "Want to join?"
"No thanks. I don't want to ruin my look" Harpinder instinctively patted his turban and lightly stroked his beard, making sure everything was in place"
"I don't know who you're trying to impress, Bro" Ravdeep chuckled, "Anyways I'm glad I caught you. Gurpreet just informed us older members of the organization that this semester's mentorship program is about to start" Ravdeep handed Harpinder a form titled 'Sikh Student Coalition Mentorship Program'.
"Mentorship program? What's that?"
"All of the new students will be getting the form that I just gave you. Then Gurpreet will pair you with an older member who has a similar personality. We believe there isn't just one path in the Sikh faith, so hopefully your mentor will help you transform into the best Sikh you can be. I remember having a blast with my mentor as student, he taught me how to cook everything I made for the Initiation!"
"Thanks Bro, but I don't think I need a mentor"
"But Mandeep said it's a requirement for your class"
"Of course it is" Harvey sighed, "I'll fill this out and turn it in at the next meeting. Hopefully we get paired, that'd make it a lot easier."
"I doubt Gurpreet would pair you with your own brother" Ravdeep chuckled, "Besides it's a great chance to meet someone new!"
"I guess you're right. Being paired with Mandeep or Gurpreet would be nice, but I guess I wouldn't mind someone else."
"Maybe you'll get someone who cares as much about fashion as you do" Ravdeep nudged.
Harpinder rolled his eyes, "Who are you hoping to Mentor, Bro?"
"I think Satvinder and I really clicked at the initiation. I could sculpt him into a Sikh Beast like me" Ravdeep flexed.
"Yeah, I really don't think your personalities are much of a fit!" Harpinder laughed, "Well, I'll let you get back to your soccer game".
"Soccer? Bro, don't you know cricket when you see it?" Ravdeep pointed back at the field, where a group of Indian men were playing with a cricket ball and bat. Harpinder rubbed his eyes and stared at the scene in disbelief, he could have sworn there was a group on men playing soccer there a second ago. "Uh, Bro? Are you still not feeling well?"
"N-no, Bro!" Harvey replied, "I'm feeling a lot better. It's just been a long morning. I should probably get some sleep... I'll see you at the dorms"
"Okay Bro" Ravdeep waved goodbye and went back to his pickup game.