Seattle-First US city to ban Caste Discrimination

February 22, 2023

Caste discrimination does not exist in the US by law. However, the tech sector in the country has been facing caste discrimination. A group of Dalit female engineering from tech big giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Google passed a resolution against caste discrimination in the country. Protests against the issue have increased in the US in recent times. The Dalits account for 1.5% of the Indian immigrants. More than 67% of the Indian Dalits are facing caste-based harassment at work places. To put an end to such discrimination, the City Council of Seattle recently introduced a Ban on caste discrimination.

Background

Caste is a social system that divides people based on their birth. Racism existed in the US but not caste discrimination. Caste discrimination has increased in the country in the recent past due to migrants from Asian countries, especially from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, etc. According to the Equity Labs Caste Census, one in four Dalits in the US faces caste discrimination. Caste discrimination is also increasing in universities, especially among students pursuing higher studies.

There are many controversies arising due to the ban introduced. Why the ban when the law already condemns caste discrimination? According to the Seattle City Council, the ban is being introduced to let its support the students being discriminated against on the basis of caste.

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