I am a Dalit
I just read that in India a woman by the name of Kausalya is taking on the establishment that turns a blind eye to honor killing. She was married to Shankar who came from the Dalit caste. Her family disapproved and her husband was brutally killed by her family.
To me, this woman is beyond brave. Kudos to her and the campaign to end "honor" killing. There is no honor in killing for caste reasons. It is plain murder to kill someone you believe is from a lower caste. The next person is the same human being just like you and me.
My hope is as we look beyond our selves we see others of equal value. We all have the same soul, breathe the same air, eat the same food, etc. Take away the artificial label as belonging to one caste or another and we all the same.
I often hear of Indians caste jumping or hiding their Caste. In college, I can remember a professor telling me he was from the Sudras and he didn’t socialize with the other professors because he did not want them to know he was a Sudra. I thought that was crazy thinking. Here he was a professor and he is concerned about Caste.
Well, I have decided to keep the label of Dalit. This title does not define my humanity. My compassion, care, and love for others are the things that define me.
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Whether one agrees or disagrees with the thoughts and ideas expressed, he hopes they provide a broader foundation for discussion. Dr. Beekie received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Organizational Communication from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, master's degree in Intercultural Communication from North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, and doctorate in Organization Development from the University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, MN.