Valarie Kaur

{{Short description|American filmmaker, lawyer, and social justice activist}}

{{Infobox person

| honorific_prefix =

| name = Valarie Kaur

| honorific_suffix =

| image = Valarie Kaur, 2016 (cropped).jpg

| alt =

| caption = Valarie Kaur, in 2016

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|2|14}}

| birth_place = Clovis, California, U.S.

| alma_mater = Stanford University (BA)
Harvard Divinity School (MA)
Yale Law School (JD)

| occupation = Documentary filmmaker, activist

| spouse = Sharat Raju

| website = {{URL|http://valariekaur.com/}}

}}

Valarie Kaur (born February 14, 1981) is an American activist, documentary filmmaker, lawyer, educator, and faith leader.{{Cite web|url=https://www.womensmediacenter.com/shesource/expert/valarie-kaur|title=Valarie Kaur - SheSource Expert - Women's Media Center|website=www.womensmediacenter.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-25}} She is the founder of the Revolutionary Love Project. Kaur's debut book, See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love, was published in June 2020.{{Cite web|title="See No Stranger": To Comfort the Afflicted and Afflict the Comfortable - Ms. Magazine|url=https://msmagazine.com/2020/07/12/see-no-stranger-to-comfort-the-afflicted-and-afflict-the-comfortable/|access-date=2020-07-29|website=msmagazine.com|date=12 July 2020 }} The book expands upon Kaur's TED Talk.

Early life and education

She was born and raised in an Indian-American Sikh family in Clovis, California, where her family had settled as farmers in 1913.{{Cite news|url=https://www.middleproject.org/resources//what-does-revolutionary-love-look-like|title=What Does Revolutionary Love Look Like? (part 1)|work=The Middle Project|access-date=2018-01-25|language=en-US}}

Kaur earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies and International Relations from Stanford University, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.{{Cite web|url=http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/about/people/valarie-kaur|title=Valarie Kaur|website=cyberlaw.stanford.edu|date=27 May 2016 |language=en|access-date=2018-01-25}} She is a member of the California Bar.{{Cite web|url=http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/MemberSearch/QuickSearch?FreeText=valarie%20brar|title=Attorney Search : The State Bar of California|last=California|first=The State Bar of|website=members.calbar.ca.gov|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-25}}

Career

When a family friend, Balbir Singh Sodhi, was the first person killed in a hate crime after September 11, 2001, Kaur began to document hate crimes against Sikh and Muslim Americans, which resulted in the award-winning documentary film Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-09-08/era-enormous-rage-i-m-still-finding-love-america|title=In an era of 'enormous rage,' I'm still finding love in America|work=Public Radio International|access-date=2018-01-25|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dwf-film.com/|title=Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath|website=www.dwf-film.com|access-date=2016-06-03}} Since then, she has made films and led story-based campaigns on hate crimes, racial profiling, immigration detention, solitary confinement, marriage equality, and Internet freedom.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sikhnet.com/authors/valarie-kaur|title=Valarie Kaur {{!}} SikhNet|work=SikhNet|access-date=2018-01-25|language=en}} She is the founder of Groundswell Movement, considered "America's largest multifaith online organizing network", recognized for "dynamically strengthening faith-based organizing in the 21st century."{{Cite news|url=https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/religion/news/2013/02/27/54730/13-progressive-faith-leaders-to-watch-in-2013/|title=13 Progressive Faith Leaders to Watch in 2013 - Center for American Progress|date=2013-02-27|work=Center for American Progress|access-date=2018-01-25|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.northeastern.edu/cssh/humanities/event/revolutionary-love-in-an-era-of-enormous-rage-new-england-interfaith-student-summit-keynote-address/|title=New England Interfaith Student Summit with Valarie Kaur - Humanities Center|work=Humanities Center|access-date=2018-01-25|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://action.groundswell-mvmt.org/|title=Groundswell|website=action.groundswell-mvmt.org|language=en|access-date=2018-01-25}} She is also co-founder of Faithful Internet which organizes people of faith to protect net neutrality.{{Cite news|url=http://faithfulinternet.org/|title=Faithful Internet {{!}} Many Beliefs. One Internet.|work=Faithful Internet|access-date=2018-01-25|language=en-US}} She is the founder and director of the Revolutionary Love Project, a non-profit that produces tools, curricula and mass mobilizations aimed at reclaiming love as a force for justice.{{Cite news|url=http://www.revolutionarylove.net/|title=We Declare Revolutionary Love as the Call of Our Times|work=Revolutionary Love|access-date=2018-01-25|language=en}}

Kaur's film making and activism have focused on gun violence prevention, racial profiling, immigration detention and prison practices, and Internet neutrality. Her activism has also included education work to combat hate crimes against Muslim and Sikh Americans. She founded the Yale Visual Law Project to inspire and equip new generations of advocates.{{Cite web|url=http://yalevisuallawproject.org/|title=Yale Law School - Visual Law Project {{!}} The Video Law Journal of Yale Law School|website=yalevisuallawproject.org|access-date=2016-06-03}}

Kaur served as the Media and Justice Fellow at Stanford Law School's Center for Internet and Society and Senior Fellow at Auburn Theological Seminary.{{Cite web|url=http://auburnseminary.org/auburn-seminary-launches-nations-first-multifaith-leadership-program-for-justice-auburn-senior-fellows/|title=Auburn Seminary launches nation's first multifaith leadership program for justice: Auburn Senior Fellows - Auburn Seminary|date=2015-05-19|website=Auburn Seminary|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-03}} Kaur has given speeches at the White House, The Pentagon, and the Parliament of the World's Religions.{{Cite web|url=https://parliamentofreligions.org/videos/valarie-kaur-delivers-parliament-keynote-address|title=Valarie Kaur Delivers Parliament Keynote Address {{!}} Parliament of the World's Religions|website=parliamentofreligions.org|access-date=2016-06-03}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiajournal.com/regional/white-house-celebrates-guru-nanaks-gurpurab|title=White House Celebrates Guru Nanak's Gurpurab|website=India Journal|access-date=2016-06-03}}{{Cite web|url=http://stateofbelief.com/segments/commemorating-the-sikh-faith-at-the-pentagon/|title=Commemorating the Sikh Faith at the Pentagon|last=Craig|first=Jonathan|website=stateofbelief.com|date=9 May 2015 |access-date=2016-06-03}}

Kaur has frequently collaborated with her husband and creative partner, Sharat Raju. Together the two have produced several documentary films, including Stigma (2011) about the impact of New York City police's Stop and Frisk policy,{{Cite web|url=http://yalevisuallawproject.org/film/stigma|title=Stigma|website=yalevisuallawproject.org|access-date=2016-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627150312/http://yalevisuallawproject.org/film/stigma/|archive-date=2016-06-27|url-status=dead}} Alienation (2011) about immigration raids,{{Cite web|url=http://yalevisuallawproject.org/film/alienation/|title=Alienation|website=yalevisuallawproject.org|access-date=2016-06-03|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20121212092715/http://yalevisuallawproject.org/film/alienation/|archive-date=2012-12-12|url-status=dead}} The Worst of the Worst: Portrait of a Supermax (2012) about solitary confinement in prison,{{Cite web|url=http://yalevisuallawproject.org/film/the-worst-of-the-worst|title=The Worst of the Worst|website=yalevisuallawproject.org|access-date=2016-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520105252/http://yalevisuallawproject.org/film/the-worst-of-the-worst/|archive-date=2016-05-20|url-status=dead}} and Oak Creek: In Memorium (2012) about the Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting.{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/valarie-kaur/remembering-the-oak-creek_b_2624819.html|title=Remembering The Oak Creek Tragedy In Film|date=2013-02-05|website=The Huffington Post|access-date=2016-06-03}}

Shortly after the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Kaur delivered a Watch Night address{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/03/06/breathe-push-watch-this-sikh-activists-powerful-prayer-for-america/|title=Perspective {{!}} 'Breathe! Push!' Watch this Sikh activist's powerful prayer for America.|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2019-03-22}} that went viral with over 30 million views worldwide.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/scroll.in/videos/1307124816037062/|title=Scroll|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/GroundswellMovement/videos/1328029797267245/|title=Groundswell Movement|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-22}}{{Citation|last=Trinath Gundavaram|title=Against Racism|date=2017-02-26|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CbKjNWS864|access-date=2019-03-22}} In 2017, she delivered a TED Talk entitled "3 Lessons of Revolutionary Love in a Time of Rage."{{Citation|last=Kaur|first=Valarie|title=3 lessons of revolutionary love in a time of rage|date=9 February 2018 |url=https://www.ted.com/talks/valarie_kaur_3_lessons_of_revolutionary_love_in_a_time_of_rage|language=en|access-date=2019-03-22}}{{Cite news|last=Freedman|first=Samuel G.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/28/us/for-hillary-clinton-and-democrats-a-public-shift-toward-god-talk.html|title=For Hillary Clinton and Democrats, a Public Shift Toward 'God-Talk'|date=2016-08-27|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-03-01|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

Books

In June 2020 Kaur's debut book, See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love was published by One World (an imprint of Penguin Random House). The book expands upon Kaur's TED Talk. Kaur published Sage Warrior: Wake to Oneness, Practice Pleasure, Choose Courage, Become Victory (with Oneworld Publications) in 2024.

Recognition

The Center for American Progress named Kaur "a standout figure in the world of interfaith organizing and activism."{{Cite news|url=https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/religion/news/2013/02/27/54730/13-progressive-faith-leaders-to-watch-in-2013/|title=13 Progressive Faith Leaders to Watch in 2013 - Center for American Progress|date=2013-02-27|work=Center for American Progress|access-date=2018-01-25|language=en-US}} In 2012, she received the American Courage Award by Asian Americans Advancing Justice.{{Cite web|url=http://www.jonesday.com/Jones-Day-hosts-Asian-Americans-Advancing-Justice-AAJC-Awards-Luncheon-10-03-2013/|title=Jones Day {{!}} Jones Day hosts Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) Awards Luncheon|website=jonesday.com|access-date=2018-01-25}} In 2013, she was named a "Person of the Year" by India Abroad{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaabroad-digital.com/indiaabroadopen/20130628?pg=131#pg131|title=India Abroad - June 28, 2013 - 131|website=www.indiaabroad-digital.com|access-date=2018-01-25}} and one of eight Asian American "Women of Influence" by Audrey Magazine.{{Cite news|url=http://kore.am/which-asian-american-women-influence-you-audreys-8-picks-for-our-inaugural-women-of-influence-series/|title=Which Asian American Women Influence You? {{!}} Audrey's 8 Picks for Our Inaugural Women of Influence Series|date=2013-09-04|work=Kore Asian Media|access-date=2018-01-25|language=en-US}} In 2015, Kaur was recognized as a "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum.{{Cite web|url=https://widgets.weforum.org/ygl-2015/04.html|title=Young Global Leaders: the class of 2015 - The new generation of leaders|website=widgets.weforum.org|language=en|access-date=2018-01-25}} In 2016, Harvard Divinity School awarded her the Peter J. Gomes Memorial Honor.{{Cite web|url=https://hds.harvard.edu/news/2016/04/04/beyond-us-and-them|title=Beyond 'Us and Them'|website=hds.harvard.edu|date=4 April 2016 |access-date=2018-01-25}}

= Awards =

ReelWorld Film Festival

Won: Outstanding International Documentary (2007) - Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath{{cite web

|url=http://iucat.iu.edu/iuk/11068170

|title=Divided we fall Americans in the aftermath

|access-date=2017-03-01

|publisher=Indiana University

}}

Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles

Won: Audience Choice: Best Documentary (2007) - Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath

Asian Americans Advancing Justice

Won: American Courage Award (2012){{Cite web|url=http://www.jonesday.com/Jones-Day-hosts-Asian-Americans-Advancing-Justice-AAJC-Awards-Luncheon-10-03-2013/|title=Jones Day {{!}} Jones Day hosts Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) Awards Luncheon|website=www.jonesday.com|access-date=2018-02-02}}

India Abroad

Named: Person of the Year (2013){{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaabroad-digital.com/indiaabroadopen/20130628?pg=131#pg131|title=India Abroad - June 28, 2013 - 131|website=www.indiaabroad-digital.com|access-date=2018-02-02}}

Audrey Magazine

Named: One of eight Asian American "Women of Influence"(2013){{Cite news|url=http://kore.am/which-asian-american-women-influence-you-audreys-8-picks-for-our-inaugural-women-of-influence-series/|title=Which Asian American Women Influence You? {{!}} Audrey's 8 Picks for Our Inaugural Women of Influence Series|date=2013-09-04|work=Kore Asian Media|access-date=2018-02-02|language=en-US}}

World Economic Forum

Named: A "Young Global Leader"(2015){{Cite web|url=https://widgets.weforum.org/ygl-2015/04.html|title=Young Global Leaders: the class of 2015 - The new generation of leaders|website=widgets.weforum.org|language=en|access-date=2018-02-02}}

Harvard Divinity School

Won: Peter J. Gomes Memorial Honor(2016){{Cite web|url=https://hds.harvard.edu/news/2016/04/04/beyond-us-and-them#|title=Beyond 'Us and Them'|website=hds.harvard.edu|date=4 April 2016 |access-date=2018-02-02}}

Meadville Lombard Theological School

Named: Honorary Doctor of Divinity(2022){{Cite web|url=https://www.meadville.edu/commencement/honorary-degree-recipients/|title=2022 Honorary Degree Recipients|access-date=2022-05-17}}