Why was it important for me to collect both dalit narratives as well as dominant caste narratives? Because it strengthens any comparative analysis I produce, and further because I can view with my dalit eyes the social worlds of those who historically researched my dalit social world from a dominant gaze. I can take back the narrative by analyzing that social world anew Importance of Collecting Stories from Both Oppressed and Dominant Groups Collecting narratives from both i

Importance of Positionality in Interviews on Sensitive Topics When conducting interviews around sensitive topics such as caste in India, especially with marginalized groups like Dalits and women, the positionality of both the interviewer and the translators plays a crucial role. Here are several reasons why this is important: 1. Trust and Rapport The positionality of the interviewer can significantly affect the level of trust and rapport established with interviewees. Margi

Caste has shaped identities in the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years. It began as a religious framework, outlined in early law books, but as rulers, political systems, and policies changed, the role of caste in keeping groups apart evolved. Societies are never static. When they change, power relations between groups shift, affecting how dominant and oppressed groups experience life, behave, and achieve outcomes. To understand how societal change impacts caste groups,