Events

I was fortunate to have been part of a discussion with Jose Antonio Vargas facilitated by Professor Christina Bellantoni. I learnt that Jose Antoni Vargas is the founder of the nonprofit “Define American”, a Pulitzer prize winning journalist, along with that a film-maker and an author. His book, “Dear America” focusses his personal journey in the US. He says he did not focus on the “immigration reform aspect of it” but the “mental health” aspect of it. He also shared with us that someone gave his book to President Donald Trump two weeks ago but is unafraid of what could…

The International Women’s Media Foundation has been honoring women journalists for their courage since its inception. Every year they also recognize a journalist in prison to boost their cause. We were privileged to witness Nima Elgabir, Rosario Mosso Castro and Meridith Kohut in a conversation with Professor Cowan as well as senior fellow Narda Zacchino. Each of these women have displayed tremendous courage in their career and have been honored for the same. Nima Elgabir, a senior CNN correspondent, emphasized her role in “giving voice to the vulnerable”. She was responsible for bringing to the forefront the story of slavery…

On the 12th of September, 2018 the Wallis Annenberg Hall was full of chatter. Young, inquisitive and bold (mostly) women sat anxiously waiting to hear a panel of successful women in media. The panel consisted of Willow Bay (Dean, Annenberg School), Marsha Cooke (Senior VP of Content Strategy, VICE), Cindi Leive (Senior Fellow, Centre on Communication Leadership and Policy) and Kim Masters (Editor-at-Large, The Hollywood Reporter).  Cindi Leive started the panel discussion with some horrific statistics. According to a recent study, “Media” as an industry lags behind in terms of gender equality. Men report 3 times as much news as…

I spoke to a few people at an electrical and carpentry workshop around my house, about biases they face at work. These group of men, belonged to different social groups. Initially, they were hesitant to share their experiences but they opened up about the discrimination they face due to the “caste and class” they belong to. Apart from falling prey to biases, they believe they are biased in many ways themselves but their bias IS justified. They claim, what has been done or said for generations is being said for a reason and thus they don’t think anybody can change…

On my visit to a security agency in my nearby vicinity, I got a chance to interact with a few security guards. They have had the experience of working at different homes across south Delhi. As security guards, they have a very different perspective/opinion on biases. They believe they are not at all biased, whereas if you observe their work or when you speak to them, you realise their entire job is based on a series of biases. “A person of X caste or religion in a thief.” ” Y society or community is known for this or that. ”…

I visited a modelling agency as part of my research, only to find more rigid biases than ever before. I was shocked to hear the revelations made by the models. As glamorous and modern as it may seem, the fashion industry in India, is home to hundreds of fixated, biased individuals. Modelling contracts are given to those who are fairer, thinner and more neurofibromas according to the traditional beauty notions. Transgender/homosexuals in the industry find it extremely hard to get contracts or find work, however capable they may be. We may think these are requirements of only old school and…

As part of making people aware of their inner biases, I visited a garment production unit in the Mehrauli Village area. The unit comprised of majority Muslim workers, along with Hindus. I spoke to them about the areas they live in, how people are treated unequally and differently. Initially, nobody spoke up but as they realised I was just here to talk to them and make them aware. They then, accepted that there are differences in society that cause conflict and these conflict arise from stereotypes that they strongly believe in. I wouldn’t say I was successful in changing their…