I wrote this after #RohithVemula's death. It's not entirely surprising that it remains as relevant today after Dr #PayalTadvi's institutional murder when people are still asking if caste really exists in India.
huffingtonpost.in/yashica-dutt-/…
huffingtonpost.in/yashica-dutt-/…
1. Be aware of your confirmation bias
If you've never experienced caste-based discrimination first hand, you'll simply tend to assume that it doesn't exist. Because that's not your lived experience. But for millions of Dalits, it is their everyday reality. So listen to them. 1/9
If you've never experienced caste-based discrimination first hand, you'll simply tend to assume that it doesn't exist. Because that's not your lived experience. But for millions of Dalits, it is their everyday reality. So listen to them. 1/9
2. Learn the history
Try to educate yourself about the exact nature of the caste-based oppressions that are being discussed, because our textbooks don't tell us enough. Figure out for yourself why the reservation and the quota system were needed in the first place. 2/9
Try to educate yourself about the exact nature of the caste-based oppressions that are being discussed, because our textbooks don't tell us enough. Figure out for yourself why the reservation and the quota system were needed in the first place. 2/9
3. Understand your privilege
The advantage your ancestors received in open and unchecked access to education and wealth, while Dalits were brutally denied all of those is a privilege. It doesn't disappear because of something you did or didn't do. 3/9
The advantage your ancestors received in open and unchecked access to education and wealth, while Dalits were brutally denied all of those is a privilege. It doesn't disappear because of something you did or didn't do. 3/9
4. Don't make it about you
No one is calling you out personally. If you don't associate with a casteist mindset, have no prejudices based on it and are fully aware of your own complicity in caste structures, you are an exception, not the rule 4/9
No one is calling you out personally. If you don't associate with a casteist mindset, have no prejudices based on it and are fully aware of your own complicity in caste structures, you are an exception, not the rule 4/9
5. Don't be the tone police
Our Dalit pride does not exist to offend you, but as a reminder to ourselves to feel it more often. Again, it's not about you. 5/9
Our Dalit pride does not exist to offend you, but as a reminder to ourselves to feel it more often. Again, it's not about you. 5/9
6. Accept you are not casteless
Your caste exists, as does ours. Not acknowledging it is not making that go away. 6/9
Your caste exists, as does ours. Not acknowledging it is not making that go away. 6/9
7. Realize you are not being "kind"
Don't expect the Dalit discourse or community to be grateful just because you are deciding to engage. Thinking you are being "nice" by understanding the complex debate for our benefit in itself is casteist. 7/9
Don't expect the Dalit discourse or community to be grateful just because you are deciding to engage. Thinking you are being "nice" by understanding the complex debate for our benefit in itself is casteist. 7/9
8. Understand you're not being 'demonized'
Blaming your birth is not what this is about. It's about reminding you how "lucky" you got while some of us didn't. The current discourse predicates on attacking a mindset of privilege and prejudice, not individuals. 8/9
Blaming your birth is not what this is about. It's about reminding you how "lucky" you got while some of us didn't. The current discourse predicates on attacking a mindset of privilege and prejudice, not individuals. 8/9
9. Ask why are you so angry
If you find yourself flying into fits of rage in the face of a rational opinion, maybe it's time to ask why. Is it because someone you thought of as inherently "lower" than you is now speaking as an equal? Hint: This is what prejudice looks like. 9/9
If you find yourself flying into fits of rage in the face of a rational opinion, maybe it's time to ask why. Is it because someone you thought of as inherently "lower" than you is now speaking as an equal? Hint: This is what prejudice looks like. 9/9
Thanks so much, @Vidula_Vil for posting this on your Instagram and reminding me how this article is still sadly relevant to our times.
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