FII Interviews: Tasveer Co-Founder And Filmmaker Rita Meher On The Seattle Laws, Minority Rights And The Struggle Towards Oppression

On twenty first February 2023, the Seattle council approved an ordinance, that turned out to be a historic win, with Seattle turning into the primary metropolis within the US to incorporate caste within the anti-discrimination coverage. The regulation will now assist the minority neighborhood within the US combat towards caste discrimination, in working areas, employment, housing and public lodging. 

South Asian communities proceed to observe caste in several types all around the world- from micro-aggression to violent-oppressive assaults on minorities. On this context, FII speaks to Rita Meher, the co-founder and government director of Tasveer, a filmmaker, editor and storyteller. Rita has acquired quite a few awards together with the Northwest Asian Weekly’s Rising Stars, the Seattle Globalist of the Yr, and Excellence in Arts by Worldwide Examiner and nominated for Seattle Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Arts.

“As an Adivasi girl, this regulation has empowered me to publicly acknowledge and communicate out towards the disgrace and trauma I skilled rising up in India as a consequence of my caste id. Like indigenous peoples all around the world, now we have been systematically robbed of our land, water, and sources and have been displaced from our ancestral houses. This choice units an necessary precedent and serves as an announcement of solidarity for many who proceed to combat towards caste oppression.”

Rita Meher

Co-founded by Rita Meher and Farah Nousheen, the organisation got here into existence at a time when the mainstream media began stereotyping South Asians submit the 9/11 assault they usually (Rita and Farah) determined to alter this narrative. Their quest for higher illustration led to the founding of Tasveer (which means ‘image’ in Hindi & Urdu) in March 2002, in Seattle. The goal was to recast the dangerous labels by offering a glimpse into the lives of South Asians by way of movie, artwork, and storytelling.

FII in dialog with the filmmaker and co-founder of Tasveer, Rita Meher, on the Seattle laws, minority rights and the combat towards oppression.

TW: Point out of rape and suicide

FII: Seattle has marked a historic-monumental win towards caste oppression. How related and necessary is that this at a time when India and different South Asian international locations nonetheless proceed oppression and violence towards marginalised communities? 

Rita: Sure! Seattle has achieved a historic victory towards caste oppression with the passing of an pressing and necessary regulation. This 3000-year-old system, which many individuals imagine solely impacts these dwelling in India, has now been legally recognised as a type of discrimination towards marginalised communities, and sure, I’m being protected by this new regulation. This can be a monumental and revolutionary step, as it’s the first time in its 3000-year historical past that the caste system has been recognised and addressed outdoors of its homeland. That is notably necessary given the fast-growing Indian and South Asian inhabitants in america, in Seattle.

“Rising up in New Delhi and attending JNU, I realized find out how to conceal my caste id from everybody. Nonetheless, years later, not too long ago earlier than the pandemic, I found that everybody in my class knew that I used to be an Adivasi admitted on ST quota. It was a matter of disgrace for me, and I subsequently left my class WhatsApp group. I’ve all the time felt a deep-seated concern and disgrace for being judged primarily based on my caste, which I additionally straight associates with social class.”

Rita Meher

As an Adivasi girl, this regulation has empowered me to publicly acknowledge and communicate out towards the disgrace and trauma that I skilled rising up in India as a consequence of my caste id. Adivasis are the indigenous tribal folks of India, like Native American folks in America. Like indigenous peoples all around the world, now we have been systematically robbed of our land, water, and sources and have been displaced from our ancestral houses. This choice units an necessary precedent and serves as an announcement of solidarity for many who proceed to combat towards caste oppression.

Whereas there may be nonetheless a lot work to be completed, this win offers us hope and encouragement to proceed the combat alongside our allies. This regulation is a well timed and mandatory step in direction of recognising and addressing caste discrimination, and it’s a important milestone within the wrestle for social justice and human rights.

FII: As you would possibly know, the variety of marginalised college students who’re victims of institutional homicide will not be much less in quantity together with the current loss of life of Darshan Solanki at IIT Bombay. There have been rising protests towards this violence and large victories like Brown College including caste to the non-discrimination coverage. On this context, how do you place the perform of this hierarchical energy construction within the South Asian diaspora (Hindu, Muslim, Christain, and so on.) in educational areas/tech fields/different working areas (select as per your space) within the US? Would you prefer to share any cases or private experiences?

Rita: The caste system is a pervasive concern that impacts all elements of society, which is occurring within the US as properly. Whereas cases of caste discrimination within the tech and training sectors obtain extra consideration as a result of bigger variety of folks from marginalised communities working in these areas, an anomaly like me who runs a non-profit organisation, that too an arts organisation, proceed to stay invisible in plain sight.

Additionally Learn: FII Interviews: Author-Journalist Yashica Dutt Talks About The Historic Seattle Laws, Caste-Based mostly Oppression And Being A Dalit Lady In The USA

Rising up in New Delhi and attending JNU, I realized find out how to conceal my caste id from everybody. Nonetheless, years later, not too long ago earlier than the pandemic, I found that everybody in my class knew that I used to be an Adivasi admitted on ST quota. It was a matter of disgrace for me, and I subsequently left my class WhatsApp group. I’ve all the time felt a deep-seated concern and disgrace for being judged primarily based on my caste, which I additionally straight associates with social class. 

“The historic win of a member of the Adivasi neighborhood, notably a lady, may very well be seen as a logo of hope and progress for different members who’ve confronted discrimination and marginalisation. Regardless of the rise of right-wing propaganda selling caste discrimination, marginalised communities should proceed to advocate for his or her rights and resist oppression. The following technology can play an important position on this effort by being knowledgeable, engaged, and empowered to combat for equality and justice.”

Rita Meher

From the start, I felt the necessity to conceal my indigenous id and caste, which maybe subconsciously led me to this point and marry a non-Indian. Regardless of many challenges, I persevered in rising my organisation to a degree the place it continues to make progress.

Nonetheless, it’s necessary to recognise that hiding our caste identities perpetuates the very discrimination we search to combat towards. By remaining silent, we permit the oppressive caste system to proceed unchecked. It’s time to interrupt this cycle of silence and communicate out towards caste discrimination, whether or not we work in tech, colleges, or non-profit organisations. Solely by coming collectively and taking a stand towards caste oppression, we are able to hope to carry significant change in society.

FII: What does this historic win imply to you as a lady from the oppressed neighborhood? How do you see your self and the following technology within the coming years when there’s a rise in right-wing propaganda, particularly in western international locations?

Rita: The historic win of a member of the Adivasi neighborhood, notably a lady, may very well be seen as a logo of hope and progress for different members who’ve confronted discrimination and marginalisation. Regardless of the rise of right-wing propaganda selling caste discrimination, marginalised communities should proceed to advocate for his or her rights and resist oppression. The approaching technology can play an important position on this effort by being knowledgeable, engaged, and empowered to combat for equality and justice.

“Throughout the public listening to and testimonies, I used to be disheartened to listen to many people, together with somebody I contemplate a brother, accuse us of being anti-Hindu merely for talking out towards caste discrimination. You will need to recognise that many Hindu fundamentalists are privileged and refuse to acknowledge the existence of caste discrimination or imagine that it doesn’t have an effect on those that have migrated to different international locations.”

Rita Meher

To make progress in direction of a extra simply and equal society, people and communities should work collectively to advertise human rights and fight discrimination in all its types.

FII: Many Hindu organisations within the US have proven their disagreement in direction of the ordinance calling it a ‘weaponising towards their neighborhood’. Would you want to answer this response? 

Rita: Throughout the public listening to and testimonies, I used to be disheartened to listen to many people, together with somebody I contemplate a brother, accuse us of being anti-Hindu merely for talking out towards caste discrimination. You will need to recognise that many Hindu fundamentalists are privileged and refuse to acknowledge the existence of caste discrimination or imagine that it doesn’t have an effect on those that have migrated to different international locations.