Dalit Solidarity Forum in the USA, Hindus for Human Rights, and Indian American Muslim Council are pleased to present the second annual Essay and Art Contest on Civil and Human Rights. The theme for this year’s contest is: Intersections Between Caste Discrimination and Anti-Black Racism. We invite South Asian American students* in grades 6-12 to reflect on the intersections between caste discrimination and anti-Black racism.
Across South Asia and the diaspora, persons from oppressed-caste communities such as Dalits continue to face various forms of discrimination, oppression, and societal segregation. In India, caste discrimination is illegal, and affirmative action policies have enabled social, political and economic mobility for some who come from Dalit families. Yet, caste oppression persists and persons belonging to Dalit communities remain socially, economically, and politically marginalized.
We welcome submissions from students in grades 6-12 who identify as belonging to the South Asian diaspora, defined broadly. Students from all religious backgrounds are welcome. We invite students whose identities intersect in meaningful ways with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka, and the United States. This includes members of the diaspora whose families hail from the Caribbean, Fiji, Singapore or Malaysia, or countries in Africa, for example, as well as students who identify as bi-racial or transcultural.
Essay must be 700 words minimum; 1,000 words maximum and in Microsoft Word (.docx) document; double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font. No personal identification information may be in the body of the essay. Citations, if any, must be placed in the end, and will not be part of the word count.
For those submitting visual art, you must submit a high-resolution photograph of your artwork in 8 1/2 x 11 inch or 11 x 17 inch format. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website.
