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Oct 17
Interview with Aashita Mal
/Do you think you are biased? Why? Have I been scared at night on an empty road when a man is walking by ? Do I tense up a little being in a Muslim dominated area if I don’t know anyone ? Yes I have, hence I’m biased. That does not mean that it’s correct by any means, but we all are defined by stereotypes, which is an extension of a bias in itself. However, that’s the extent of me being biased. I feel everyone is equal, Muslim or Hindu; Man or Woman. Religion has been formed by us, not...
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Jun 17
Interview with Poojan Sahny
/Do you think you are biased? Why? No. I feel like I look and treat everyone I meet with equal respect. Everyone has a right to live a free life in whatever resources they have and if we respect that fact about others they will give is the same respect. Have you had a biased experience or you have had somebody else go through it? Being a woman you face gender inequality at many occasions in life. But you should see that as an opportunity to shut people up and do something extraordinary to prove that you're no less than...
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May 17
The importance of Colloquy
/In India, racism is not unintentional it is preached. It is extremely difficult for anyone to change anybody’s mindset when it comes to the sensitive issue of biases. Sadly, but truly it’s there in each one of us. Over the past few months, I went and spoke to people from all woks of life and not only made them realise that they are biased but also the realisation that it is not right to be biased. I wouldn’t say I was hundred percent successful in making the minds of so many people racism free, but even the little change that...
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Apr 17
Visit to an Electrical and Carpentry Workshop
/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...
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Mar 17
Dialogue with a Security Agency
/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. ”...
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Feb 17
Event at a Modelling Agency
/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...
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Jan 17
Visit to a Garment Production Unit
/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...
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Dec 16
Colloquy Over Coffee
/I held a colloquy over coffee for a few ladies to make them aware of their racial biases. We initially began the session with them believing they were not biased at all. However by the end of the session, they realised they were biased and that it was wrong to be biased. We discussed how they would react in certain situations regarding race, colour, gender and sexuality. We spoke about everyone’s personal opinions and biases. We also spent some time taking the Harvard Implicit Association Test, which further proved that there are many biases that exist in our heads. We...
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Nov 16
An interview with Mr Jasper Reid
/Mr.Jasper Reid is the founder of International Market Management that has brought Wendy’s and Jamie Oliver restaurant chains to India. He studied English Literature at Oxford and has worked in airlines, consulting and investment banking. A keen cook and gardener, he lives in New Delhi with his wife Megan and twin daughters.Here’s a snippet of an interview with him! Aanya – Are you treated differently because of their race/ethnicity/nationality? Mr Reid – Yes but 95% of the time with great courtesy and hospitality and sometimes curiosity. We travel widely in India and in many places foreigners are not common. Even...
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Nov 16
We are as Indian as you are
/I recently got a chance to interview a young girl from Darjeeling, Assam. Seema, works in a beauty parlour in the capital and aspires to open her own beauty parlour back in her village. A little hesitant at first when asked about her experiences with racism, she eventually opened up about the matter as we got talking. “It’s the way people look at me, like we don’t belong here”, she said. Seema feels that she isn’t treated like any other Indian, she and her community are made to feel isolated, inferior. People often ask her whether she’s from China, Nepal,...
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