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Broken Voiices 'Untouchable' Women Speak Out
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- By Valerie Mason-John |
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VALERIE MASON-JOHN
Winner of the MIND book of the year award 2006 |
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Broken Voices: ‘Untouchable’ women speak out, documents the lives of the most
oppressed people in India. The Dalit woman, who was formerly known as untouchable. It
explores their daily life in marriage, working in the fields, surviving in slums, religion, and
in political activism. It also explores the life of Dr Ambedkar who is seen today as the true
leader of the Untouchable people and of women, because of his visionary approach.This book is necessary because it documents silenced voices, the voices of Dalit women’s lives. I will be documenting, and re-telling their stories, as they are part of a historic generation which must not be lost. This book
highlights the continuing issues of Human Rights and caste discrimination in today’s India. |
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It’s also original because It has been written by a Black British author of African descent, who is interested in
oppressed peoples. It’s original because I had the opportunity to work beside the women in rice fields, sleep in their
homes in the slums and villages. It’s original because I have tried to remain authentic to their voices by not editing out
Indian English. It’s original because it is rare that Indian Dalit women have the opportunity and courage to speak out
about their lives. It also highlights Dr. Ambedkar who has been lost in international history. |
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Chapters include oral histories of a wide range of women, from those who were formerly known as untouchable, now
commonly known as the Dalits. They give first hand stories about dowry burnings, marriage, living in villages and slums,
beggars, trafficking, professors, political activists, and artists. There is a an accessible chapter on the background to the
understanding of caste and its origins and affect on the Indian population today. Plus a chapter on the role of the
untouchable Indian campaigner, Ambedkar who became the most educated man of his time,. He was the main architect
of today’s Indian constitution, and responsible for the introduction of positive discrimination (reservations) for
untouchable people in employment and education. |
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This chapter also outlines him as a visionary, campaigning for the emancipation of the untouchables and women. And 50
years ago made controversial history by renouncing the Hindu religion and leading over half a million untouchables to
convert to Buddhism, with the hope of converting the whole of India to get rid of caste. |
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