Hide and Sikh: Letters from a Life in Brown Skin

by Sunny Dhillon

In 2018, Sunny Dhillon resigned as a journalist with The Globe and Mail. His blog post announcing his departure went unexpectedly viral. It was a decision that had been long brewing and Dhillon posted the piece with the hope that it would lead to “meaningful reflection on the lack of diversity in Canadian journalism and the problems therein.” But he was not optimistic.

In this sharply funny memoir, shaped as a series of letters to his daughter, Dhillon explains why he was not hopeful. From his earliest memories, his experience of being Canadian was shaped by race, and as a child he’d often found himself confused by what he should do when the fact he was “different” was raised. His first reaction was to hide – from his skin colour, from his native tongue and even from his name. Until he realized he didn’t feel the need to hide anymore, that he didn’t want to hide anymore. With warmth, honesty and lots of humour, Dhillon shares his journey so that his daughter will not have to struggle through the lessons he took too long to learn, so that she will know who she is and be proud.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Canada

142 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Émilie]

Read for my work book club!! Prompt was "Book told through letters," and I thought this would be more interesting than an epistolary novel (which I was very much not interested in reading). And it was!! This was honestly such a great read, I'm really glad I found it through a local bookstore. The overall discussion of racism in Canada was obviously very interesting and relevant, but framing it through letters to his young daughter made it feel so personal and emotional, I started tearing up at the end at how much he clearly loves her and hopes for a better future for her. Glad I read it!!

[Whatithinkaboutthisbook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hide and Sikh: Letters From A Life in Brown Skin by Sunny Dhillon

Pub Date Nov 4/25

Journalist and new father Dhillon writes a series of heartfelt letters to his daughter, preparing her for life as a person of colour in Canada. Reflecting on his own struggles with daily micro aggressions, and overt racism, Dhillon felt unprepared to navigate these experiences as both a child and an adult. Determined to do better for his daughter, this book is a deeply personal act of love and guidance, an effort to equip her for a world that will not always see her as she truly is. Perhaps the most painful truth Dhillon reveals, is as a Brown person, you will never be seen as fully Canadian.

This book serves as an eye opener for anyone who believes that Canada is any less racist than other countries. Dhillon’s writing sheds light on the experiences of someone born here but constantly treated as “other”, illustrating the emotional and psychological toll of both subtle and overt racism, creating a sense of not belonging.

While it may not possess the same visceral intensity as Letter to My Son by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Dhillon’s work resonates with pain, longing, hope and profound love for his daughter and for a better future. His journalistic background shines through in his balanced, thoughtful and reflective prose. The novel is at its best when he writes about fatherhood - the immediacy of his love, his awe and his fierce desire to protect his daughter.

This is a valuable and necessary book for Canadians seeking to better understand the realities of individual and systemic racism in this country. It will fill you with sadness and anger, a reminder of how much work there is to do.

[Hema · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hide and Sikh is a deeply personal memoir about race and identity written by journalist Sunny Dhillon as a series of letters addressed to his young daughter. Born as a child of Punjabi immigrants, Dhillon recounts a variety of experiences — good or bad — that has shaped him to be who he is today. Whether is it about dealing with racism, family pressure, or navigating life as an early adult; Dhillon writes his reflections in the hope that his daughter will learn from his past. To not be afraid of her identity and to be proud of who she is. To stand up to any micro aggression or injustice she may face in the future.

Dhillon’s memoir is incredibly relatable and a must-read now, with rising anti-South Asian sentiment and racism especially here in Canada. If you’re reading this review, please pick this book up as it deserves to be a lot more popular!

[Mary Therrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was provided to me by www.riverstreetwriting.com for an honest review
This book Hide and Sikh: Letters from a life in Brown Skin is a must read for all Canadians .
Sunny Dhillon wrote this book as a series of letters to his daughter
His experiences, as a child and then as an adult, of being “different” made him hide who he was for a good part of his life until he didn’t want to hide anymore and he didn’t want his daughter to feel she has to hide her heritage
Dhillon was a journalist with the Globe and Mail and this book was well written, yet shocking (for me anyway) in its look at the realities of individual and systemic racism in Canada
Very thought provoking

[Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply honest and brave book written in the form of letters to the author's daughter. Eloquent, passionate and a thoughtful engagement about growing up Brown and Sikh in Covid-era Canada. It will resonate with many racialized readers as well as parents who struggled to raise kids during Covid-era restrictions. More voices of colour are badly needed and Sunny Dhillon sets a high standard for those who will follow in his footsteps. Highly recommended.

[Paige D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hide and Sikh is a deeply personal, sharply funny, and heartwarming memoir. Sunny Dhillon writes with honesty and humor, sharing lessons learned from a life spent navigating identity, race, and societal expectations. The letters to his daughter provide a unique and engaging structure, making the narrative both intimate and instructive. This is a must-read for anyone interested in multicultural experiences, fatherhood, and the journey from hiding to pride.

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so grateful Sunny wrote this book. It’s like he was reading my mind as a Canadian journalist of colour at some points!

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thoughtful book that all Canadians should read