(CNN) -- Today, the day after the tragic shootings near Milwaukee, the fog will begin to lift. Just as after Columbine and Aurora, we will hear the names of the suspect and victims. We will learn more about the motive and imagine the nightmare that unfolded within those walls. In the past, hearing these horrific details would be enough to bring us together in national unity. But that will not be enough today. Today, we are called to do more. We are called to do the hard work of listening. If we really want to unite in response to this national tragedy, we need to know whom we are embracing. For many, this means learning about Sikh Americans for the first time -- and listening closely to what's at stake. For me, the mass shooting is not just about how to keep guns out of the hands of a murderous few. It's also about my community's sacrifice in the struggle to live as free and proud Americans.
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Valarie Kaur's Sikh grandfather faced discrimination when he came to U.S. 100 years ago
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Sikhs could not be citizens then, she says, and have struggled to live as free Americans
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Kaur: Turban shows commitment to God and service but marks Sikhs for hate crimes
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Kaur: Americans are not ignoring violence against Sikhs and are rallying in support
Like many Sikhs, I grew up with deep roots in America and also fell in love with the heart of the Sikh faith: devotion to one @placeholder, who requires us to uphold equality between women and men and all peoples, and perform seva, service to our community as an expression of our faith.
Together, we can all be Sikhs; we can all be @placeholder -- and know what that means.