Kshama Sawant has proposed an ordinance to add caste to Seattle’s anti-discrimination laws. If the council approves it Tuesday, Seattle will become the first U.S. city to specifically outlaw caste discrimination.
Among Kshama Sawant’s earliest memories of the caste system was hearing her grandfather — a man she “otherwise loved very much” — utter a slur to summon their lower-caste maid.
In 1948, India banned caste discrimination, and enshrined that policy in the constitution in 1950. Yet the undercurrents of caste continue across Indian society; caste-based violence is rampant. But over the past decade, Dalit activism has garnered support from parts of the diaspora. One recent trend: More Dalits are telling their stories, energizing this movement.
“We South Asians have so many difficult historical traumas,” she said. “When we come to this country, we shove all that under the rug and try to be a model minority. The shadow of caste is still there.” Trivedi said Seattle’s proposed policy is dangerous because it is based on anecdotal reports, not reliable data. He suggests it would be difficult to verify someone’s caste.
Council member Sawant said current anti-discrimination laws are insufficient and her legislation doesn’t single out one community. More than 150,000 South Asians live in Washington state, with many employed in the tech sector where Dalit activists say caste-based discrimination has gone unaddressed.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Saskatoon city council preview: Snow removal, swale boundaries and elm wood disposalSaskatoon city council will meet Wednesday at City Hall, with decisions to make on borrowing to cover costs of a city-wide snow clear, setting boundaries for the Northeast Swale and how to handle elm wood at the city landfill. yxe
Leer más »
Lack of wheelchair access forces City Council member to climb onto debate stageDenver City Council member Chris Hinds says he had to get out of his wheelchair and 'attempt to crawl onto the stage in front of a crowd' because a debate venue did not have proper accessibility.
Leer más »
Saskatoon city council preview: Snow removal, swale boundaries and elm wood disposalSaskatoon city council will meet Wednesday at City Hall, with decisions to make on borrowing to cover costs of a city-wide snow clear, setting boundaries for the Northeast Swale and how to handle elm wood at the city landfill. yxe
Leer más »
Seattle considers historic law barring caste discriminationSeattle City Council member Kshama Sawant wants to add caste to the city’s anti-discrimination laws
Leer más »