Living The ISMS In Style - Jasprit Kaur

Our ISMs are everything to us at the Rock Family of Companies. These philosophies are what drive everything we do! Yes, that means our work here in the office, but our ISMs are not only about the way that we work. Our ISMs extend to our outlook in our daily lives and influence the way we live. To see just how far our personal connection to our ISMs reaches, we our team members:
Which ISM describes your wardrobe style?

Jasprit Kaur
@jaspreetk88

“Ignore the Noise” a great company philosophy is the perfect ISM to describe my personal style. Growing up I struggled with my identity being a first-generation child born in the United States. I was raised into the Punjabi culture originating from Northern India and struggled to fit into the Western culture I was growing up in. The distinct traits I carried growing up led me to always stick out in the crowd, but the little awareness of my ethnicity created confusion for others and negative experiences for me. Throughout my middle school and high school years I was taunted for eating the foods of my homeland -  even given looks of confusion and disapproval when wearing traditional Punjabi clothing.  

These experiences forced me to turn my back on my roots and search to find a place where I would get a taste of acceptance. I was blinded by the thoughts of others, but through my journey of finding “self” I realized that I was chasing after an acceptance that was not attainable. Blending into the crowd was something I was not cut out for, and I learned to “Ignore the Noise.” I no longer wanted to hide myself but educate others on who I was and where my ancestors walked this earth.  

I continue to embrace my culture today by cooking ethnic Indian dishes for friends and sharing pictures on social media. I take the extra minute to teach someone to pronounce my name and I proudly show off my mesmerizing Punjabi outfits with confidence. Instead of leaving someone with confusion, I encourage questions so that I can educate and create awareness because, “Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day.”— Author Unknown