 |
| STOP |
RACISM
Racism is the belief that the genetic factor that constitute race, ethnicity, or nationality are a primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that ethnic differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. Racism's effects are called "racial discrimination." Racial discrimination typically points out taxonomic differences between different groups of people, although anyone may be discriminated against on an ethnic or cultural basis, independently of their somatic differences. Racism involved the simple belief that human populations are divided into separate races. Many biologists, anthropologists, and sociologists reject this taxonomy in favor of more specific and/or empirically verifiable criteria, such as geography or a history of endogamy. ]One of the most pressing issues facing India is the quest for social equity. The struggle to end caste discrimination, and to ensure that India's Dalits are able to live a life of dignity, enjoying equal access to educational facilities and equal opportunities in the job market is of paramount importance. In recent years, the UN has often been a part of the problem rather than the solution. While the UN failed to prevent the bombing of Yugoslavia, the destruction of Iraq took place under the auspices of the UN.Both the Indian and the international media have paid considerable attention to the debate on whether caste discrimination is also a form of racism. As the controversy rages within India, one of the most important questions that should be asked is - what are the real solutions. How can international conferences or UN agencies or the so-called "World Community" of nations help India's most discriminated and oppressed communities. And this is where the utter hypocrisy and sanctimoniousness of the so-called "international community" lies exposed. As should be well-known to most objective students of world history, social discrimination and oppression were not unique to any one nation. As the European nations colonized the rest of the world, and displaced the native American communities from their native lands, the internal contradictions amongst the European nations receded - and did so quite dramatically. Thus, in these newly conquered territories, White European racism became the primary cause of social oppression in society. Amongst the nations that were at the receiving end of colonization (such as India), older forms of discrimination became aggravated. The economic devastation that followed colonial rule led to the further ossification of caste divisions.
But how much of the discussion on the problems of caste in India acknowledges this crucial and essential aspect of the problem? Is there any real attempt at addressing the colossal crime that was colonial rule and exploitation? Are the world's former colonial powers willing to pay compensation to those who suffered most? How about a fund that would pay for the education, housing and healthcare of those in India living below the poverty line? How about free access to technologies and capital that could assist India in solving it's perennial water and power shortages? How about the oil-rich nations (who use hundreds of thousands of Indian workers to pump their oil) helping out by providing subsidies to India for buying oil (at least at cost), if not at a discount?In fact, there are many concrete ways in which the international community could help. Even a cursory look at where caste discrimination in India is most egregious will show that caste discrimination tends to be greater in areas of the country that are very densely populated, and relatively less urbanized and industrialized. Wherever the economy is stagnant, social problems are aggravated. Thus, problems of caste discrimination are greatest in states like Bihar (pop. density 880 per sq. km), UP (689) and Tamil Nadu (478). Compare these to Australia (2), Brazil (20), US (30), South Africa (36), Turkey (85), or Italy (193).
Although the so-called "international community" has been very aggressive in calling for the "free" movement of capital - there is deep resistance to allowing for the free movement of labour. Whereas India's best educated are now permitted to migrate to nations such as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and even some of the European nations are issuing temporary work visas for highly educated and skilled workers, no one is willing to even consider issuing immigrant visas to India's poor - to the unschooled or poorly schooled.
Nations particularly perturbed about India's caste problems could provide a very simple solution. Allow the migration of India's dalits, offer them jobs, or adult education classes for a year or two, and allow them to integrate with dignity into their societies. Instead of drawing away India's best educated, accept India's weakest citizens. Even other developing nations could make such an offer, especially since the vast majority of them are much less densely populated when compared to India.
But the truth is that no one who bemoans India's caste problems wants to actually lend a helping hand. Rich industrialized nations that accept India's well-educated are far less open when it comes to accepting less-qualified relatives, and even spouses can face lengthy processing delays. The oil-rich nations of the Middle East exploit India's poor to the hilt, yet they are not even willing to offer Indian Muslims (let alone other Indians) permanent visas or any form of protection from discrimination or exploitation. There are virtually no rights for workers or workers compensation schemes for even the most blatant forms of social discrimination or ill-treatment.
India's dalits indeed face all manner of deprivations and discrimination within India. But India as a nation also remains deeply deprived and discriminated by the so-called "world community". One cannot solve one without solving the other. A lot of sociologists and intellectuals from nations more fortunate than India can feel superior that they don't have such problems - but if they really cared to solve the problems, they would be spending less time making pompous speeches and passing meaningless resolutions
For centuries, when India was a relatively prosperous and advanced nation, (in 1750, India's share of manufactured output was 25%) - India welcomed immigrants and the oppressed from many countries, allowed them to form settlements, and permitted them to follow their own customs and religious beliefs. Syrian Christians, Persian Zorastrians, Arab Muslims and Jews, Armenians, Central Asians, Afghans - a host of nationalities and peoples migrated to India. Even those who came as conquerors and invaders were eventually absorbed into the Indian mosaic of ethnic, religious and cultural diversity.
Those in the so-called "international community" who wish to "teach" India how to solve it's internal problems might instead do better to learn a bit from India's generous history, and reciprocate in kind, through concrete and practical measures, rather than pass smug judgments about India's social "backwardness".
