Breaking the Chains: Fighting Caste Oppression with Thenmozhi Soundararajan
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
Release Date: 07/17/2023
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
Title: Culture Connects Us: Identity and Transformation Do our cultures connect us or drive us apart? Why are our cultures even important? Join Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist, in this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People, to hear how culture can connect us, with guests Jalila Bell, Kwame Gaylon Logan, and Kayla Marin. They explore the importance of using culture to bring people together and share personal experiences. Galen, the founder of Village Connect, shares insights as a father and grandfather of 10. Tune in for an engaging conversation on race,...
info_outline Black Modern Elder Academy: Creating a Space for Authenticity and Diverse ExperiencesEveryday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
The Modern Elder Academy, is a space for healing, self-reflection, and personal transformation for the “Modern Elder.” It helps people redefine what it means to be a modern elder and make choices about the next phase of their lives. So, if this need is true for everyone, why is there a need for a week just for Black people? In this conversation on race, my guests and the founder, Chip Conley answer this question. My guests are Wanda Whitaker, Dr. Diane Johnson and Cassius Johnson. Hear about the significance of listening to intuition and paying attention to physical sensations in personal...
info_outline From Guilt to Empowerment: Your Role in Dismantling RacismEveryday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
Are you ready for a conversation on race, power, and Harvard in this Conversation on Race. Why are Black women leaders at Harvard and other institutions being targeted? Simma The Inclusionist, and Deborah Ashton dive deep into the controversial world of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Harvard, shedding light on the power struggles and systemic racism that still plague our society. Find out what is real, and what is witch-hunting in this scandalous attack on Black female leaders. Discover the shocking truth behind the attacks on DEI initiatives at Harvard, orchestrated by...
info_outline Unpacking Identity, Race, and Representation in Crime FictionEveryday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this episode, Simma Lieberman The Inclusionist, interviews Ed Aymar, an award-winning author known for his multicultural crime thrillers. Ed, originally from Panama, shares insights into his background, military upbringing, and how he got into writing. The conversation explores the intersection of race, culture, and storytelling in the context of crime fiction. They discuss Ed Aymar's acclaimed works, such as No Home for Killers and When She Left," highlighting his unique perspective as a multicultural crime thriller writer. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on...
info_outline A Black Executive Perspective on Race in Corporate AmericaEveryday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this episode of "Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People," Simma sits down with Tony Franklin, also known as Tony Tidbit, the Vice President of Advertising, Sales, and Client Partnerships at DirecTV. Tony shares his personal experiences as a Black executive in corporate America and discusses the importance of open and honest conversations about race. Simma and Tony discuss the challenges faced by people of color in corporate America, including the pressure to assimilate and the fear of being labeled as "too aggressive." Tony shares a personal story about trying to fit in by...
info_outline Cancel Culture Unmasking the Dangers of Instant Judgment and OutrageEveryday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this thought-provoking podcast episode, Simma, the Inclusionist, engages in a candid conversation with Patricia Mushim Ikeda, a Japanese-American Buddhist and mindfulness teacher, and Joel Davis Brown, an African-American man who is an author, an organizational development consultant and spoken word artist. Together, they delve into the controversial topic of cancel culture, exploring its impact on society and the importance of fostering dialogue across racial and ideological divides. The episode begins by addressing the viral nature of outrage and disgust on social media,...
info_outline From Conflict to Compassion: Jewish, Muslim, and Christian Leaders Share Their Perspectives on the Israel-Gaza CrisisEveryday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this powerful podcast episode, Simma Lieberman interviews three faith leaders from the Faith Trio - Pastor Ben Daniel, Ali Sheikhaslani, and Rabbi David Cooper. Each of these leaders brings a unique perspective and experience to the conversation, making it even more impactful. The Faith Trio is a group that aims to foster understanding and empathy among different faith communities. They recognize the increase in Islamophobia and antisemitism in today's world and believe that now, more than ever, it is crucial to come together and combat these prejudices. Throughout the episode, the...
info_outline Unmasking the Toxicity of Racism: A Raw Conversation with The Contraband WagonEveryday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this episode of "Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People," Simma Lieberman welcomes her guest Will Upland (also known as Contraband). He is the creator of the show on Twitch, The Contraband Wagon. Listen to this enlightening, personal and often humorous discussion of race, racism and disruptive conversations. Will (aka Contraband) recounts times in his young life when he encountered people who tried to discourage his success, and were angry that he, the only young Black man in his class stood above everyone else for his talents and brilliance. After feeling frustrated with the...
info_outline Confronting the Lack of Diversity in Nonprofit LeadershipEveryday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this conversation on race, Simma The Inclusionist talks with Kristen Sharpe, CEO of Non-profit Makeover, and Deedee De La Cruz, Director of Demand Generation for GiveSmart. Why is there a lack of diversity in leadership roles within nonprofit organizations? Our two guests shed light on the reason that less than 20% of executive positions are held by people of color nonprofits. Kristen Sharpe and Deedee De La Cruz, acknowledge the historical overrepresentation of white individuals in nonprofit leadership positions. There is an urgent need for greater diversity in these roles,...
info_outline "From Apartheid to Forgiveness" a Conversation on RaceEveryday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
If you were a Black man imprisoned and tortured for fighting against the brutality of apartheid in South Africa, could you forgive your oppressors? Siya Twani did just that. This is a don’t miss episode. We all need to hear his story. It is especially relevant today with the slaughter of over 1,000 Israelis and the continued bombing and killing of over 1,000 Palestinians in Gaza. In this episode, Simma, the Inclusionist, welcomes guest Siya Twani, who grew up under South African apartheid and became a freedom fighter with Nelson Mandela. Siya shares his experiences of...
info_outlineFrom grassroots movements to political advocacy, explore the powerful journey of Dalit activists working towards dismantling caste oppression.
In this episode, you will be able to:
● Shatter the silence surrounding caste discrimination in US-based South Asian communities.
● Delve into the world of Dalit rights activism to understand the struggle against centuries-old caste subjugation.
● Grasp why legislation against caste discrimination in California could be a game changer.
● Realize the paramount importance of caste equity competency in breaking down workplace barriers.
● Get attuned to how somatics can mend the psychological wounds inflicted by caste discrimination over generations.
My special guest is Thenmozhi Soundararajan
Joining the conversation is Thenmozhi Soundararajan, a Dalit rights activist born in the heart of East Los Angeles, bringing a fresh perspective to igniting change for Indian Americans and marginalized communities. Raised in the harsh reality of structural casteism, she uses her lived experiences as the foundation of her fight against this persistent issue. Additionally, she is admired for her talents as a transmedia storyteller, songwriter, writer, hip-hop musician, technologist, and author of The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation on Survivorship, Healing, and Abolition. Her story and experiences form an intricate tapestry of struggle, resilience, and commitment, making her an invaluable guest on the topic of Dalit rights and caste discrimination.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction
00:01:19 - Guest Introduction
00:03:40 - What is Caste?
00:07:19 - Caste Discrimination in the US
00:09:19 - Personal Experience and Hiding Identity
00:16:46 - Addressing Misconceptions about Trafficking
00:17:20 - Structural Caste and Sexual Exploitation
00:18:19 - The Need for Civil Rights Organizations
00:19:35 - Discrimination and the Fight for Caste Equity
00:24:35 - Caste as a Protected Category
00:32:28 - The Impact of Caste Oppression
00:34:09 - Changing Hearts and Minds
00:35:11 - Discrimination within South Asian Communities
00:37:54 - Groundbreaking Conversations and Unity
00:39:10 - Responding to Denial of Caste
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
● Go to the website www.RaceConvo.com to listen to more episodes of the show and engage in conversations about race.
● Please share the show with at least one or two other people who may be interested in having conversations about race.
● If you enjoy the show, please leave a review to help support it. Don't forget to give it five stars if you think it's a five-star show.
● If you'd like to help support the show, you can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking on the donate button on the website.
● To understand more about caste and Dalit rights, visit Equality Labs, an organization fighting for caste equity and civil rights. Learn about their work and support their cause.
● Support the coalition led by Equality Labs and Senator Ayesha Wahab to make California the first state to ban caste discrimination. Stay updated on their progress and join their efforts.
Guest Bio
Thenmozhi Soundararajan is a Dalit rights activist based in the United States. She is a transmedia storyteller, songwriter, hip-hop musician and technologist. She founded Equality Labs, which “is an Ambedkarite South Asian power-building organization that uses community research, political base-building, culture-shifting art, and digital security to end the oppression of caste apartheid, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and religious intolerance.” Her work and writings against caste oppression in the United States have been featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Host Bio
Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker and facilitator and the host of the podcast, “Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People.”
Contact [email protected]
Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information
Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition)
Connect with me:
Previous Episodes
Breaking Barriers: John Blake on Racial Reconciliation
Why We Must Bridge Divides: A Conversation on Inclusive Leadership with Sally Helgesen & Mercedes Martin
Rising Above Racism: Dr. Randal Pinkett's Journey to DEI Expertise
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating