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Note: Viewers defined their own race and religious affiliation in open-ended demographic questions - this information is intended to show the diversity of our audiences.
"I’ve enjoyed the film and the myriad of “untold” stories within the Sikh American community. It was moving and poignant addressing a prevailing problem in America. I hope this will bring more understanding, tolerance and awareness."

26-year-old female, Asian Chinese American
NYU
New York City
"As a straight white male whose primary unorthodoxy (being an atheist) is invisible, I have no stories that deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the movie. However, I will say that throughout the movie I was trying very hard not to cry: It didn’t work."

20-year-old male, Atheist, Caucasian US citizen
NYU
New York City
"The film reminded me of the initial fear and anger any of us of different skin tone, appearance or dress feel when we are victims of racial slurs or assault. When I was told as a 13 year old to 'go back to my own country' by my neighbor I was absolutely shocked. I was not shocked so much by the level of bigotry or ignorance. I was taken aback more because I felt that this IS my country. Because I look out at this country with the same eyeballs, out of the same eye sockets of my neighbor, I forgot that I look different.”

26-year-old male, Indian American
NYU
New York City
"I loved how the film went full circle. The film shed light about the unjustified rounds of killing that occur and how truly pointless this cycle is. The film also targeted a solution in realizing the human aspect sometimes hidden in all of us. Very, very well done."

21-year-old female, Muslim, Arab American, American/Egypt citizen
NYU
New York City
"The documentary was amazing! I could relate to the documentary. I don’t feel alone knowing that not just Muslims have been targeted. The documentary also brought me closer to Sikhs (Punjabi yay!) Amazing job!”"

20-year-old female, Muslim, South Asian Pakistani American
NYU
New York City
"This was an excellent film that showed an important issue in the aftermath of 9-11. Thank you."

19-year-old male, Muslim, Bahrain/US citizen
NYU
New York City
"I think that Valerie and Sonny are foremost very brave in what they did. It takes guts to go around the country like they did, talk to strangers on a touchy subject in such a fragile time. My cousin was a taxi driver in San Diego and was beaten for the sole reason of being Afghan after the attacks. I was touched both as someone connected to hate crimes and as a simple American as well."

19-year-old male, Muslim, Afghan and US citizen
NYU
New York City
"The stories in the film are ones that I have never known about. Thank you for sharing them with us. In these times, we forget about the history of othered in the U.S. based on the geopolitical context that the U.S. is in. I’m glad that you included the history of internment of Japanese Americans in the film. It shows that we all have a stake in how groups are othered today."

18-year-old female, Chinese, US citizen
NYU
New York City
"Amazing movie!!! Made me realize how strong 'we' are home away from 'home'!!!'"

19-year-old male, Sikh, US and India citizen
NYU
New York City
"It was a very interesting movie. I worked on a documentary by PBS that focused on the family of Balbir Singh Sodi. I also went through some hard times after 9/11/01. The movie explained why Sikhs were targeted and why the media acted the way it did."

22-year-old male, Sikh, Kuwait, India citizen
NYU
New York City
"I loved your documentary and how it is raising Sikh awareness. I myself have been thru a few of the issues I saw in your documentary which I related to and also cried. Thank you so much!!!"

22-year-old male, Sikh, Punjabi, US citizen
NYU
New York City
"I greatly appreciated the discourse in this film regarding the relationship between ethnicity and citizenship in the United States. I feel that this discussion is too often ignored or stifled. I also felt that the analogy in this film to Japanese internment several decades ago was also incredibly helpful in furthering our awareness of the problem of ethnic discrimination."

19-year-old female, US and Netherlands citizen
NYU
New York City
"Great film, love the historical aspects."

25-year-old female, Christian, black, Jamaican citizen
NYU
New York City
"Thank you so much! I was very moved by the film and I’m so glad these issues are being brought up. I look forward to the theatrical release of this film."

20-year-old male, Buddhism/Taoism, Chinese/Taiwanese, US citizen
NYU
New York City
"I think the most striking thing to me was the strength shown by people who were victimized, and the ability to forgive and unite. Thank you for this film and telling these stories."

21-year-old female
NYU
New York City
"Very good. Good mixture of personal and historical and contemporary information on the issue. Another connection is to the hate crimes against immigrants, particularly in the border states with Mexico."

49-year-old male, Chicano/Native American
NYU
New York City
"Excellent work especially for such a young filmmaker. Great interview footage and classy editing. Made me think. I didn’t know the breadth/scope of the backlash until tonight."

19-year-old female, white/Croatian, US citizen
NYU
New York City
"Fantastic, eye-opening film. I was riveted. Really thought provoking."

37-year-old female, Agnostic, Latin American
NYU
New York City
"I was extremely touched by your film. I had not realized the extent to which Sikhs and other communities were targeted post 9/11 and your movie was not only an eye opener in this aspect but also in that it is up to each one of us to create awareness and encourage dialogue. Thank you for devoting your heart, soul and time to such an incredibly inspiring project. I hope this movie travels far and wide as it deserves to! Congratulations."

21-year-old female, Indian, Human race!
NYU
New York City
"Extraordinary!!"

45-year-old female, Chinese American
NYU
New York City
"It is insanely frustrating for me to meet people who have these unfounded prejudices. I became very angry when I found out that my uncle’s new wife was a racist."

21-year-old male, Jewish, Caucasian, US citizen
NYU
New York City
"Moving and sweet."

21-year-old female, Agnostic, White/Jewish American
NYU
New York City
"The film was very touching; being from Seattle I did not realize how much Sikhs were suffering all over. I remember when 9/11 happened people (our customers) came to my dad’s business and told my brother to be careful. Customers were concerned about his safety because he looked Persian (even though my brother did not wear a turban). I remember my parents being worried about him."

26-year-old female, Hindu and Sikh, Indian, US citizen
NYU
New York City
"Very touching film. Excellent job. Though I cannot think of a single Sikh friend or family member that was not harassed after 9/11, it is comforting to think about all the awareness efforts that have been done since then. I myself made speeches to every class in my high school after 9/11, sold 'Proud to be American. Proud to be Sikh.' t-shirts and bumper stickers and helped hold vigils in the community. I am proud of the unity and intense desire to educate that Americans, as well as Sikh Americans, have shown. Good luck!"

24-year-old female, Sikh, Indian, US citizen
NYU
New York City
"Difference is exciting and threatening. We (most of us) want an 'orderly' world and difference makes that harder. Education seems critical in helping young people find a place for difference in their 'ordering' of the world. Thank you for your complicated film."

55-year-old male, Jewish, US citizen
NYU
New York City
"Good work. Wish you continued success for future projects."

28-year-old male, Sikh, American
NYU
New York City
"I wish we had the power to show this film to every American. The heart and soul that went into its production is palpable from beginning to end. Finally our story told in our words. Thanks to this film, this crucial moment in America's history will not be missing our voice. This is truly a monumental achievement. Thank you for making this film."

35-year-old male, Sikh, Universal citizen
New York City
"I have seen the film several times now and have been deeply moved each time by the raw power of the personal stories it tells. Growing up I was taught to celebrate that we are a nation of immigrants and to respect the differences that make us all unique. Sadly as a country we are still so far from fully realizing that ideal. If a turbaned man - or a veiled woman - cannot freely express their religious identity in a country that was supposedly founded on tolerance for religious diversity, then where can they? The fear of terrorist attacks is no excuse to erode our civil liberties and submit to the craven impulses of bigotry and violence. America can do better. I hope that everyone who has seen this film spreads its important message to their friends, families, communities, places of worship and elected officials."

24-year-old female, Irish/Italian/German-American, Catholic, American citizen
New York City
"Hi Valarie,

Who is writing is an Italian girl, living in US (to be precise, New York) just since April 2006. I came to US by chance. My boyfriend got a job at UN and I followed him without a precise idea of what I was going to do next. I graduated in Venice in an unusual and - let me say - unfortunately quite useless subject, even though I love it and I dont regret my choise at all: Hindi language and related topics on Indian culture. As subject of my thesis I choose the crisis originated between the Indian Government and the Sikh community after the Independence, specially focusing on 1984. So, without even knowing exactly why, I found myself dealing for many months of my life with Sikhs, first only on books, then personally, by going to visit Punjab and a bit later by creating a photographic reportage on Sikhs living in north Italy, that I presented as my final work for the photographic school I was attending.

Now that I find myself in New York, temporarily working as an intern for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it seemes that Sikhs decided to follow me. As I heard about the exhibition on Sikh art at the Rubin Museum I went there and was nicely surprised about the artifacts on show and the unespected affluence of public. But most surprised I was this afternoon, when I came to watch Divided We Fall. And here comes the point. I am writing to you to personally express the joy of seeing somebody realizing such an important contribute by deciding to do it on the spot, moved by true feelings. It made me think a lot. Many persons have big ideas, projects, dreams that so many times just remain in their heads, without taking a shape. And so many times we assist to the small or big injustices of the world without producing a word, or a true act. I really want to express my gratitude for what you have had the strength to do. And, of course, for the very well done product of your will. I hope it will produce good feelings in as many people as possible. Good luck for the next upcoming screenings! And thanks again."

Marta Becherini
New York City