Google’s recent case of caste discrimination has resulted in a global call for caste equity called ‘Radical Rhythms’, organized by Equality Labs in partnership with Alphabet Workers Union, Neelam Social, and Ambedkar Association of North America.
Equality Labs, a California-based Dalit civil rights organisation, shone a light on the rampant caste bigotry and harassment taking place at the tech giant Google.
The particular incident in question was when Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Dalit rights activist and founder and executive director of Equality Labs, was not permitted to conduct her scheduled talk to Google News employees in April as a part of Dalit History Month.
This incident, consequently, led to the resignation of Sr. Google manager and tech worker activist, Tanuja Gupta in protest, who was the one who invited Soundararajan to speak.
“Retaliation is a normalized Google practice to handle internal criticism, and women take the hit. In the process of doing my job and promoting caste equity at the company, I saw four women of color harassed and silenced.
The reality is that these are not isolated events, this is a pattern,” Gupta wrote in her farewell letter, the report in The Post noted.
These grave reports of caste discrimination were made public in a report on 2 June by Washington Post that exposed the company’s employees for circulating disinformation about Soundararajan.
The talk had essentially been cancelled over the claims that the speaker was “Hindu-phobic” and “anti-Hindu.” The exposé was backed by evidential documents along with interviews of Soundararajan and current Google employees, who wish to remain anonymous.
“During this time, opponents to caste equity internally circulated disinformation about Soundararajan and Equality Labs to derail the civil rights event until its ultimate cancellation,” Equality Labs said in a statement.
Google denied the charges and their spokesperson, Shannon Newberry stated, “We also made the decision to not move forward with the proposed talk which — rather than bringing our community together and raising awareness — was creating division and rancor.”
This stance comes from a place of ignorance and, inevitably, perpetuates caste discrimination by giving voice to the upper caste and letting them have agency over Dalit narratives.
Pa Ranjith, a popular Tamil filmmaker, has created many cinematic masterpieces that convey a sociocultural insight into the persisting caste discrimination. He hopped onto Instagram and in a video post with his initiative, Neelam Social collaborating with Equality Labs, Ranjith speaks on the ongoing fight for justice in this recent case of libelous, casteist and discriminatory actions by the tech giant, Google.
“It is something of a huge concern now. I am not sure if Indians are worried about this, but Dalits of India and progressive thinkers are deeply concerned,” says Ranjith in the video.
In retaliation to the incident, Equality Labs has organized a virtual global event that serves as a global call for caste equity. The Dalit rights organisation has partnered with Alphabet Workers Union, Neelam Social and Ambedkar Association of North America to host Radical Rhythms on 10 August 2022.
This event provides a platform for international artists to unite in the fight for caste equity, particularly in retaliation to the recent case of caste discrimination at Google.
This fight against the oldest structures of oppression in society that have manifested generations of trauma and violence has affected and dehumanized enumerable South Asian individuals across the world.
Radical Rhythms aims to create awareness around the issue and start a discussion regarding the same. The lineup for the show includes some of the most powerful Dalit artists.
Isaivani – Gaana artist from Tamil Nadu, Seyilrani and Lalitha- Oppari artists from Gangai Konda Cholapuram, Tamil Nadu, Sumeet Samos- writer and anti-caste rapper from Odisha, Rapper Mahi – an anti- caste rapper from Maharashtra, Abisha – filmmaker and rapper from Chennai, Vipin Tatad – a rapper from Delhi, and Ginni Mahi – a folk musician from Punjab will all perform their art through music and poetry.
The speakers for the event will be Pa Ranjith – filmmaker and founder of Neelam Cultural Center, Thenmozhi Soundararajan – Dalit rights activist, hip hop musician and technologist, Chandra Shekar Azad – Dalit leader from Azad Samaj Party and Bhim Army (and Pa Ranjith’s favourite speaker).
Tech workers from Alphabet Workers Union and the broader tech sector, Maya Kamble – Dalit tech worker & President of Ambedkar Association of North America, Prem Pariyar – Nepali Dalit Rights Activist, California and lead organizer of the Cal State University Caste Equity Movement, and Will Wiltschko – California Trade Justice Association.
Those interested in the cause can register online for free of cost, although donations to support the Caste Equity Movement are encouraged and can find more details on @equalitylabs.
