“What is Caste?” will introduce students to a system of violence called caste. Although caste is often portrayed as a phenomenon unique to South Asia, Dr. Patel will show how caste works in tandem with racism, white supremacy, multiple colonialisms (such as in the case of Palestine and Kashmir), and capitalism. In short, participants will learn how caste is a system of violence that is relevant to all of our lives, and a crucial analytic for understanding our modern world.

Shaista Patel is an Assistant Professor of Critical Muslim Studies at UCSD who specializes in Indigenous, Black, Dalit, anti-caste, Muslim, and transnational feminist studies. She is the co-founder of the UC collective for Caste Abolition.

To register for “What is Caste,” donate to Mohammed’s family (suggested donation $60 USD / 56 EUR, please donate more if you can!) then fill out the registration form.