ISU Blog#6

Caste System

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This article talks about the new welfare commission that Kerala government has launched for the rich and powerful communities in India. The community will only serve people who belong to economically forward classes and this would be a necessary condition to gain benefit from the government scheme. The welfare commission has been set up as a result of protests by stronger communities since the lower communities enjoy privileges such as minimum reservation in educational institutes, pensions for widows and scholarships for students. The welfare commission is a result of positive discrimination seen in different areas of Kerala and students along with widows can apply for ‘Forward Commission’ if they can prove that they belong to socially powerful or forward communities. I have chosen this article since it relates to the social issue of Caste System in my book “Karma” by Cathy Ostlere through showing the caste differences between Sandeep’s mother Parvati and his father Barindra and how it affects their relationship along with family decisions. Sandeep’s mother Parvati was born as a Kshatriya and married to his father Barindra’s lower Vaishya’s caste which led to downward slide in their social standing. Their caste system and beliefs clashed with each other when Barindra wanted to bring Maya to their family the same way as they brought Sandeep but this time Parvati refused to do so. Parvati blamed Maya’s parents for giving her such a name since her name consisted both the elements of Hinduism and Sikhism which at that time were ready to slaughter and thirsty for each other’s blood during that time. This shows that the Caste System in India created such situations that no one imagined before and played an aggressive role in the riots of 1989.

Caste System of India ( Song/Video)

This song video shows the reality behind the Caste System of India and how the lower cast people and untouchables are treated by the upper cast people in the society.

ISU Blog#5

Religion Stereotyping

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This article talks about how a group of Muslim artists entered into hip-hop music and are going against the stereotype of Muslim women being not allowed to participate in any male dominant category. The group’s founder Alia Sharrief told that the objective of her group was to convey the message that Muslim women belong in hip hop even though it is traditionally a male dominant category frowned upon conservative corners of Muslim community. Through their hip hop they want to break the old stereotype of the society that Muslim women are not supposed to participate in any such activity that exposes them to the world and is a bad omen towards their religion. Even though Alia Sharrief’s group writes hip-hop music they make it a point to address current issues and relate to race and gender along with their rhymes often focused on speaking up for humanity and having dignity. I have chosen this article since it relates to the social issue of Religion Stereotyping in my book “Karma” by Cathy Ostlere through showing people’s beliefs and teachings for each other’s religion prominently Hinduism and Sikhism. During Amar and Leela’s marriage Leela’s family called Sikhs as arrogant and lacking in imagination while Amar’s family called Hindus as un-evolved Sikhs and too romantic in their religious philosophy. Since this was a common stereotype during that period therefore every Hindu and Sikh carried the same image for each other in their heads and beliefs. Amar’s father tried to prevent him from marrying Leela (Hindu) by telling him that any Sikh attached to Leela cannot escape the cycle of life, death and rebirth and will be bound to the Wheel of Existences. Also Maya was always taught that Sikhs were the protectors of Hindus and brought up believing that only Sikhs were the most courageous of all Indians. The society during that period made such Religion Stereotypes so that they could make people believe what they wanted.

My name is Islam (Slam Poetry Video)

This slam poetry talks about the misconceptions and stereotypes people have for  Muslims and explains what Islam as a religion truly means and how it preaches peace and prosperity rather than violence.