Coming out as Dalit by Yashica Dutt
a review
Hello,
It has been a while. Wishing you a Happy Diwali!
Our discussion about Yashica Dutt’s book about being Dalit can be concluded with the phrase - mature because we are detached. I don’t use the phrase lightly because before reading this book or that Made In Heaven episode or even before reading Dr Ambedkar’s book in our book club - I thought our society has gotten rid of the caste system and that it is a thing of the past.
Much like colonialism, the caste system continues to affect many fractions of our country. This book club meeting was more than just discussing and learning from Yashica’s story. It was also about acknowledging how we have unknowingly carried forward these beliefs in our daily interactions or how we are now aware that our language or how systems are built to work against “lower” caste communities. And mostly how this system has embedded itself so deeply in the fabric of our culture that our realities are shaped with casteist beliefs.
Initial thoughts:
first heard about this/her after made in heaven
Privilege check (!)
Thought caste didn’t exist and at one point even questioned why reservations exist?
Questioning a lot of our own beliefs.
Social currency is a point that we often overlook.
Made us uncomfortable but also made us question why should uncomfortable narratives be presented to be palatable to other people?
Reality Check - Caste based instances that are still prevalent around us.
If you are upper caste - caste is/was never an issue.
Some memorable moments and important
Moment: she is in Stephen's and her mother comes to visit her hostel - when her mother comes into her hostel looking tired and messy after a long journey, her roommates judge her and she feels that even if they all go to the same college, they can never be the same or become friends.
“Upper castes” are glamorized when they get out of a bad situation or fate. On the other hand those who are considered “lower” castes are expected to be in bad situations.
An Adult Dalit person needs to be an exception to be human or to be “considered” - to do this one needs to have access to ambition and possibilities and also some form of guidance in terms of ways to get somewhere. But how can you know what to do if you never had that exposure?
Caste and class overlap many times.
The caste system exposes that merit can be subjective - access to spaces
Rage exists when something is too personal.
Criticism is often layered by Misogyny
Danger of single narrative:
Limited to one narrative
How marginalized communities don’t have the bandwidth to talk sometimes
Good to have representation but also doesn’t mean that you should not talk about these issues if you don’t belong to the community. But at the end of the day, an observed opinion is never the same as a lived experience.
Lastly, no matter who you are -If you’re taking the mic have the ability to take criticism
Takeaways
Personal is important, I act more in ways that are aligned with who I am. Question and observe
Divorcing the identity struggle vs political struggle: Understand the context.
A way to engage with a community that is unfamiliar to us is by the way of food. Example, exploring Dalit recipes: Meshed with history and access and what they could make
Some links:
Bihar Caste Census (paywalled article)
Yashica Dutt's Instagram post discussing the "Made in Heaven" issue
‘My story was good enough, but not me?’ Yashica Dutt’s five weeks of hell
Loitering With Yashica Dutt (podcast)
Until next time!
Love,
Tvisha and Miti