Seattle becomes first US city to ban caste-based discrimination

[cbabe]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/21/seattle-ban-caste-based-discrimination

Seattle becomes first US city to ban caste-based discrimination

Provision comes amid calls for change from South Asian diaspora communities but faces opposition from some Hindu Americans

Associated Press
Tue 21 Feb 2023 20.04 EST

Seattle has become the first city in the US to ban caste-based discrimination, after council members voted on Tuesday to add the provision to the city’s anti-bias laws.

Calls to outlaw discrimination based on caste, a division of people based on birth or descent, have grown louder among South Asian diaspora communities. Proponents of the ordinance, which was approved by a 6-1 vote, say without such laws, those facing caste discrimination in the US will have no protections.

…

Kshama Sawant, a socialist and the only Indian American on the city council, said her proposed ordinance does not single out one community, but it accounts for how caste discrimination crosses national and religious boundaries.

…

The Seattle measure has the support of Dalit activist-led organizations like Equality Labs and others. The groups say caste discrimination is prevalent in diaspora communities manifesting itself in the form of social alienation and discrimination in housing, education and the tech sector where South Asians hold key roles.

…more…

[Dorian Gray]

1. This

would have been a real banger in 1940s india, but seems somewhat pointless in Seattle today.

(If I'm wrong and there is a lot of caste discrimination in a way that will be solved with this bill, please let me know.)

[cbabe]

2. The article details problems encountered due to

discrimination. Lawyers would have more insight to future effects of the new law.

Or you could reach out to the city council or the Dalit community for more information.