Podcast Summary: New Books Network

Episode: Sunny Dhillon, "Hide and Sikh: Letters from a Life in Brown Skin"

Date: February 3, 2026
Host: Holly Gattery
Guest: Sunny Dhillon

OVERVIEW

This episode features a conversation with Sunny Dhillon, author of Hide and Sikh: Letters from a Life in Brown Skin. The book is a collection of personal essays in the form of letters to his daughter, exploring identity, racism, intergenerational hope, shame, and the complexities of growing up and raising children as a racialized person in Canada. The discussion covers the impetus and emotional grounding of the work, its unique style rooted in journalistic clarity, and the balancing act between direct personal storytelling and broader social commentary. Dhillon also reads from the essay “Brown Name,” shares his thoughts on audience, hope, and the role of discomfort in confronting racism, and reflects on future creative pursuits.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Origins and Purpose of the Book

• Impetus: The book grew from past writings, particularly Dhillon’s viral resignation essay about racism in Canadian media (03:43).
• Letter Format: The collection became personal letters to his daughter, initiating with her first encounter with overt racism at a playground (03:43).
• Objective: Dhillon aims to spare his daughter, Jaya, the struggles he endured and imbue her with pride in her identity.

Notable Quote

"Sharing those with her through these letters just felt like a natural way to go."
— Sunny Dhillon (05:13)

2. Intergenerational Hope vs. Hopelessness

• Hopelessness: The struggle to be hopeful is recurring, especially as a parent and in the broader sociopolitical context (06:29).
• Child as Hope: Witnessing his daughter’s fearlessness offers inspiration and hope, contrasting his own caution and internalized anxieties from racialization (06:29-08:48).
• Protest & Allyship: Events and supportive communities today offer a glimmer of optimism not often available in Dhillon’s own upbringing (08:48).

Notable Quote

"There is hope there. There are better days ahead, perhaps."
— Sunny Dhillon (08:48)

3. Childhood Shame, Food, and Cultural Difference

• Racialized Experiences: Both Dhillon and the hosts recall being shamed for cultural foods, “smells,” and names, highlighting shared immigrant experiences (08:48-10:00).
• Internalized Shame: Dhillon addresses the lifelong impact of these microaggressions and his intent to break the cycle for his children (10:00-10:13).

Notable Quote

"The shame in this book... it was something that really stuck with me—that internalized shame about everything and trying to move past that."
— Co-host (10:00)

4. Stylistic Directness & the Reporter’s Voice

• Matter-of-fact Tone: Dhillon’s reporting background leads to clear, concise, and direct prose, which serves to make the pain of racism more stark and impactful (10:35-11:42).
• Suddenness of Racism: The abrupt entry of racialized incidents into daily life is mirrored by the directness of the narrative (11:42-12:53).

Notable Quote

“I do write very clearly and I'm very much to the point, which is just kind of a byproduct of having had only 400 words to work with on any given day.”
— Sunny Dhillon (10:35)

5. Reading: “Brown Name” (13:06–19:49)

Full Reading: 13:06–19:49

• Naming: The essay explores naming practices in Sikh tradition, the burden and pride of ‘brown’ names, and Dhillon’s personal journey with his legal name “Ravdeep.”
• Workplace Microaggressions: Challenges of having multiple names—both in school and work, and the professional and personal implications.
• Embracing Identity: The gradual acceptance and public reclaiming of his legal name, with advice for his daughter to treat her own name with pride.
• Protective Anonymity: The role a “hidden name” can play in shielding oneself from prejudice.

Memorable Excerpt

"By hiding the name for as long as I did, I allowed it to become a dirty little secret...I could not feel a connection to [it] because I refused to use it. Now, at long last, I was, and that connection started taking root...Do not let your name be pushed to the shadows. Instead, give it sunlight...The name itself, glad you asked. It's Ravdeep."
— Sunny Dhillon (19:20-19:49)

6. Audience, Intention, & Craft (20:34–24:01)

• Intended Audience: The book’s primary audience is Dhillon’s daughter, but he’s conscious of potential broader readership and strives for clarity where needed (21:10–22:49).
• Craft & Editing: The interplay between personal focus (letters to daughter) and expansion to public or broader issues emerged over revisions, especially in the latter third of the book (24:01–25:16).

Notable Quote

"If my daughter ever needs to remember what I would have thought about something or lived through or the love I have for her, it'll all be contained within this one book."
— Sunny Dhillon (21:34)

7. Discomfort and Confronting Racism (25:24–28:12)

• Leaving Readers Uncomfortable: Dhillon intentionally leaves episodes of racism unresolved and uncomfortable, resisting the urge to reassure non-POC readers (25:27–26:29).
• Everyday Aggressions: He reflects on incidents (e.g., racist shouting on the waterfront, confrontations on public trails) and the ongoing drain of having plans derailed by racism.
• Standing Firm: Emphasis on learning to “stand a little taller,” holding onto hope and dignity even in the face of discomfort (27:54).

Notable Quote

"We need to still just stand firmly through these incidents...because we're here and we're not going to be pushed around."
— Sunny Dhillon (27:54)

8. Future Projects & Family

• Current Focus: No new writing projects; Dhillon is engrossed in law school (28:27).
• Family Equity: Jokingly acknowledges that his son, born after much of the book was finished, deserves a project of his own in the future (28:27–29:39).
• Tender Details: The host notes the warmth and everyday details about his daughter—nicknames, favorite foods—that give emotional ballast to the book’s serious themes (30:00–30:26).

MEMORABLE MOMENTS / QUOTES WITH TIMESTAMPS

• On Hope:
  “There is hope there. There are better days ahead, perhaps.”
  — Sunny Dhillon (08:48)

• On Naming and Identity:
  "Do not let your name be pushed to the shadows. Instead, give it sunlight...The name itself, glad you asked. It's Ravdeep."
  — Sunny Dhillon (19:20-19:49)

• On Intentional Discomfort for Readers:
  "We need to, to the greatest extent we can, as racialized people who choose to talk about these issues, just explain what they're like and just, you know, explain how so often you...end up just thrown into another situation...and you end up having to spend your whole day thinking about why that happened, who else feels that way?..."
  — Sunny Dhillon (26:30)

• On Audience:
  "If my daughter ever needs to remember what I would have thought about something or lived through or the love I have for her, it'll all be contained within this one book."
  — Sunny Dhillon (21:34)

SEGMENT TIMESTAMPS

• Introduction and Author Background: 01:22–03:43
• Book’s Origin and Letter Format: 03:43–05:13
• Hopelessness and Hope as a Father: 06:19–08:48
• Food, Shame, and Cultural Difference: 08:48–10:13
• Direct Style and Craft: 10:13–12:53
• Reading: “Brown Name”: 13:06–19:49
• Audience and Editing Process: 20:34–25:16
• Discomfort and Living with Racism: 25:24–28:12
• Writing Future & Family (Son): 28:15–30:26

CONCLUSION

This episode provides a rich, candid exploration of Hide and Sikh, underscoring the power of personal narrative to confront racism, process intergenerational trauma and hope, and claim identity. Dhillon’s clarity and approachable tone make serious topics accessible without diluting their gravity. The inclusion of a moving reading and reflections on craft, audience, and future family stories offer listeners insight into both the book’s themes and its author’s heart.

Recommendation:
Pick up Hide and Sikh: Letters from a Life in Brown Skin for an honest, poignant account of living, parenting, and holding onto identity and hope amidst everyday racism.