Caste—one of the oldest systems of exclusion in the world—is thriving. Despite the ban on Untouchability 70 years ago, caste impacts 1.9 billion people in the world. Every 15 minutes, a crime is perpetrated against a Dalit person. The average age of death for Dalit women is just 39. And the wreckages of caste are replicated here in the U.S., too—erupting online with rape and death threats, showing up at work, and forcing countless Dalits to live in fear of being outed.
Dalit American activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan puts forth a call to awaken and act, not just for readers in South Asia, but all around the world. She ties Dalit oppression to fights for liberation among Black, Indigenous, Latinx, femme, and Queer communities, examining caste from a feminist, abolitionist, and Dalit Buddhist perspective--and laying bare the grief, trauma, rage, and stolen futures enacted by Brahminical social structures on the caste-oppressed. Incisive and urgent, “The Trauma of Caste” is an activating beacon of healing and liberation, written by one of the world’s most needed voices in the fight to end caste apartheid.

Learn more about the story and find the transcript on radioproject.org. [https://www.radioproject.org/2024/06/the-trauma-of-caste-a-dalit-feminist-meditation]

Making Contact [https://radioproject.org/] is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world.

EPISODE FEATURES: Thenmozhi Soundararajan, the author of “The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation on Survivorship, Healing, and Abolition” and a Dalit American artist, organizer, technologist, and theorist. Currently, Thenmozhi is the Executive Director of Equality Labs.

MAKING CONTACT: This episode is hosted by Anita Johnson. It is produced by Anita Johnson, Lucy Kang, Salima Hamirani, and Amy Gastelum. Our executive director is Jina Chung. 

MUSIC: This episode includes music from Blue Dot Sessions, including “3rd Chair" and "Paving Stones."

Learn More:
The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation on Survivorship, Healing, and Abolition
Thenmozhi Soundararajan / Dalit Diva - https://dalitdiva.com/
Google’s plan to talk about caste bias led to ‘division and rancor’ - https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/06/02/google-caste-equality-labs-tanuja-gupta/
Hindu Sect Accused of using forced labor - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/nyregion/nj-hindu-temple-india-baps.html
Dismantling the Caste System - https://www.michigandaily.com/michigan-in-color/dismantling-caste-system-long-overdue/

Making Contact

The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation

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At this time of year, we tend to indulge our desire to order-in. In New York City, all it takes is a few taps on your phone and dinner will be on its way to your doorstep. But the ease of this process can erase the effort behind it. In this segment Dylan Heuer reports on the challenging conditions delivery workers are facing in NYC, from healthcare to police crackdowns on electric bikes.

This story was originally featured on Meat + Three on Heritage Radio Network. Listen to the full episode here: https://heritageradionetwork.org/podcast/dead-of-winter/

The Real Cost of Ordering In: Challenging Conditions for Delivery Workers This Winter

This is the Global Soul Music show with Ian Friday from April 26th, 2019.  Play Loudly!!

GSM show with Ian Friday 4-26-19 Part 1

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In honor of International Anti-Street Harassment Week, an event hosted by Catcalls of NYC encouraged New Yorkers to share their experiences with catcalling. Students, in particular, arrived eager to speak out, expressing a strong desire to eliminate harassment on the streets and in their schools. 

This story was originally featured on WBAI Evening News.

Chalk Back!: NYC Students Speak Out Against Street Harassment

New York's status as a sanctuary city has not kept Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents out of the five boroughs. As ICE raids continue, activists are making longer term plans to provide sanctuary. One institution using their privilege to protect immigrants, is synagogues. 

This story was originally featured on WBAI Evening News.

A map indicating houses of worship involved with the New Sanctuary Coalition.

The Sanctuary symbol hangs in the front window at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. 

The lobby of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah displays pride flags and posters sponsored by T'ruah.

Music: Scott Holmes, Together We Stand, Free Music Archive

In the Face of ICE Raids, Synagogues Serve as Place of Sanctuary

Jewish people across the country took to the streets on Sunday to protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In New York, protesters shut down the Amazon Book Store in Midtown Manhattan because of the company’s strong ties to ICE. This act of civil disobedience resulted in the arrest of nearly 50 people. Dylan Heuer reports on momentum behind this local action. 

This story was originally featured on WBAI Evening News Monday August 13, 2019.

#JewsAgainstIce Shutdown Amazon Books on Day of Mourning

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Coastline Reading

Making Contact is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world.