How to be an anti-caste feminist when you have caste privilege (not an exhaustive list)
The original post was published here.
- Listen actively to Dalit feminists. Respond with feminist love & solidarity rather than with indifference, defensiveness or opposition.
- Acknowledge your caste privilege. Do not constantly centre only your own feelings, experiences or perspectives.
- Do not speak for Dalit feminists. Do not appropriate the anti-caste discourse to earn social capital or use it for your personal gain.
- Amplify Dalit voices, esp those that have informed or inspired you. Do not disengage or shut down if a Dalit feminist is raging but do withdraw if your presence is making things worse.
- Speak out and act against casteism in your family, among your friends and colleagues. Say this more often: "That's casteist. Let's STOP!"
- Do not try to "lead" Dalit feminists or tell them what they need. You don't know better than them!
- Form coalitions with Dalit feminists, keep their concerns on high priority. Do not feel entitled to take over the decision-making.
- Don't butt-in when two dalit feminists are in a disagreement. And especially don't gang up to diss either one of them publicly or in your groups.
- Dalit feminists are on the frontlines of the battle against Brahmanical supremacy. Be mindful not to oversolicit or retraumatize. Do not expect free labour.