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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 2d

3/ We celebrate Saheb Kanshi Ram’s contributions to our movement to end caste and empower Dalit-Bahujan peoples. Jai Bhim! 💙💛💙

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 2d

2/ Saheb Kanshi Ram founded the Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti, the All India Backward and Minorities Communities Employees' Federation in 1971, and the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984.✊🏾 His political career was dedicated to ending caste oppression.✊🏾

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 2d

1/ Today we remember Saheb Kanshi Ram, an influential Indian politician who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Dalit-Bahujan communities. He pushed back against caste discrimination by mobilizing caste-oppressed peoples to take political action.

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 10d

4/ Learn more about Azaadi’s breathtaking work here: www.penandbrush.org/exhibition/t...

Talkin’ Bout a Revolution: Pyaari Azaadi – Pen and Brush

www.penandbrush.org

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 10d

3/ An illustrated catalogue is included in the exhibit, featuring essays by prominent voices on South Asian feminism, anti-caste activism, and Dalit art. Now more than ever, we need to hear the voices of marginalized artists and activists loud and clear. 📣

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 10d

2/ In this exhibit, Azaadi’s work spans the artist’s career, celebrating feminist and queer-bodies, specifically through the lens of South Asian identity. This exhibit challenges dominant narratives by centering feminist and decolonial perspectives.

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 10d

1/ 🎨Celebrate a new and powerful exhibit of paintings featuring Dalit leaders! “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” is an exhibition spotlighting the work of artist and activist Pyaari Azaadi on view from September 25th-December 13th at Pen and Brush NYC.🎨

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 17d

4/ 💙💛 The popularity of the Satyashodhak Samaj was an inspiring force for Dalit communities to fight for their liberation, and we continue to share Phule’s dream of ending the exploitation of women and caste-oppressed communities. Jai Bhim!

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 17d

3/ Phule, who was born to a caste-oppressed family, saw the need to expand educational opportunities for marginalized groups. His lived experiences of immense poverty and caste discrimination motivated Phule to advocate for vulnerable communities and promote universal equality.

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 17d

2/ Satyashodhak Samaj included women, and led by Phule's wife, Savitribai, they fought for women's education, an end to child marriage, and the right of widows to remarry. Satyashodhak Samaj left a lasting impact on Dalit political mobilization and women’s rights. 💪🏾

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 17d

1/ Today marks the anniversary of Jyotiba Phule’s founding of the social reform society known as Satyashodhak Samaj, which began as a means of addressing caste and gender-based violence and discrimination by focusing on providing education and political access for women and Dalits 💙💛

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 24d

🌞Join us!🌛Tomorrow, we will be hosting an emergent dharma + political education response to escalating violence & threats in the current moment.

✍️🏾Register here: bit.ly/RootedCommun...

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 24d

4/ Periyar stated, “Whomsoever I love & hate, my principle is the same. That is, the educated, the rich & the administrators should not suck the blood of the poor.” We are grateful for his anti-caste legacy & his passionate battle against gender inequity, poverty, & discrimination.

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 24d

3/ Periyar was also a radical feminist who worked tirelessly to eliminate child marriage and encouraged women to actively take part in social justice movements and Indian politics. In many ways, Periyar was a revolutionary far ahead of his time.

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 24d

2/ Periyar founded the Self Respect Movement to promote women's rights and eradication of caste. He pressured the Indian government to abolish untouchability and dedicated his movement to the goal of giving caste-oppressed communities a sense of pride in their Dravidian past.

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 24d

1/ Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Periyar, a social reformer and activist who fought bravely against gender and caste inequality in Tamil Nadu. Now, Periyar's name and image are now recognized across India as symbols of Tamil Dalit political mobilization.

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · 29d

Our sympathy goes to the family of Chandra Nagamallaiah. We urge for the legal processes to go forward and for an end to this culture of violence. We must address this crisis of hate in our community! www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

Man accused of beheading Dallas motel manager who told him not to use a broken washing machine

Court documents say the suspect became upset after the manager didn’t speak to him directly about the machine but asked a woman to translate.

www.nbcnews.com

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · Aug 28

6/ Today, we celebrate Ayyankali and remain grateful for his life’s mission to end caste. Jai Bhim!✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · Aug 28

5/ Ayyankali also advocated for women’s rights in a time when Dalit women were not even permitted to wear clothing in public spaces. He encouraged Dalit women and girls to act as equals to their male counterparts in the anti-caste movement.

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · Aug 28

4/ Ayyankali responded by organizing the first strike led by Kerala's agricultural laborers. 💪🏾 They refused to return to the landlords’ fields until restrictions to education were removed. His efforts were successful, enabling Dalit children to access government schools.

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · Aug 28

3/ Dalit children were also forbidden from attending school, but Ayyankali believed education should be accessible to all students. 📚 When Ayyankali attempted to enroll a Dalit girl, violence broke out as an angry mob burned down the village school.

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · Aug 28

2/ Ayyankali resisted the oppression of caste by re-claiming public spaces and traveling on roads that traditionally Dalits were not permitted to use. ✨ This radical act inspired other Dalits to push back against the violence of caste and carry out protests of their own. ✨

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · Aug 28

1/ 💛💙 Today we celebrate Ayyankali, a revolutionary anti-caste social reformer, educator, and politician. Ayyankali’s family was forced to labor for feudal landlords, which motivated him to spend his life fighting to improve the lives of Kerala’s Dalit communities. 💛💙

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Equality Labs @equalitylabs.bsky.social · Aug 26

Today, on her death anniversary, we celebrate and remember Gail Omvedt, an Ambedkarite scholar and anti-caste icon who researched and wrote about Dalit politics and the unique experiences faced by Dalit women. 💙💛

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