Crosscut Now
May 10, 2023 - WA South Asians celebrate Dalit History Month
5/10/2023 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
'I feel free': South Asians in WA celebrate Dalit History Month.
For communities in the Puget Sound region, it's their first commemoration since Seattle banned caste discrimination.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS
Crosscut Now
May 10, 2023 - WA South Asians celebrate Dalit History Month
5/10/2023 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
For communities in the Puget Sound region, it's their first commemoration since Seattle banned caste discrimination.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Crosscut Now
Crosscut Now is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(energetic music) - I'm Paris Jackson in the Crosscut KCTS 9 Newsroom.
Dalit History Month passed a few weeks ago in April.
The annual commemoration started to recognize those most oppressed under the ancient caste system that's based on hierarchy.
It was started by a group of Dalit women.
In February, the Seattle City Council passed an ordinance designating castes as a protected class, although some people in the US still adhere to the caste system.
Council member, Kshama Sawant says the victory is important.
Sawant grew up in India as part of the Brahmin caste.
A 2016 Equality Lab survey on caste in the United States found that many Dalit respondents have experienced verbal and physical assault, unfair workplace treatment, and discrimination in education.
Now, advocates are hoping to make similar strides in places like California and British Columbia, both of which council member Sawant publicly supports.
(soft music) I'm Paris Jackson.
Find nonprofit Northwest news every day on crosscut.com.
- News and Public Affairs
Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.
- News and Public Affairs
FRONTLINE is investigative journalism that questions, explains and changes our world.
Support for PBS provided by:
Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS