The South Asian Solidarity Movement and Healthy Hood Chi hosted a powerful panel in Chicago, addressing anti-Blackness, casteism, and the need for solidarity between Black and South Asian communities (Photo Credit: Reeva Date).
Recently, the South Asian Solidarity Movement teamed up with Healthy Hood Chi at the HHC headquarters at 2242 S. Damen to start a conversation about what anti-Blackness looks like and how we can unite in solidarity.
As the Presidential election approaches, featuring Democratic Nominee Kamala Harris—the daughter of Black (Jamaican) and South Asian (South Indian) immigrants—the SASM convened to address the critical issue of anti-Blackness within the South Asian American community.
The panel was led by Black and South Asian leaders, including educators, organizers and activists.
Personal stories and insights into how anti-Blackness manifested within South Asian communities were shared, and the panel also discussed strategies for fostering unity and solidarity in an increasingly divided society.
While the conversation primarily addressed the dynamics between Black and South Asian communities, it was open to all who wished to learn, engage and work toward dismantling anti-Blackness.
Cindu Thomas George, who founded SASM in 2021, is a DEI and antiracism practitioner and professor dedicated to professionally and personally disrupting anti-Blackness. At the gathering, she welcomed everyone and emphasized the importance of this conversation in fostering community and solidarity across racial lines.
Photo Credit: Reeva Date
Several key SASM team members include Rahul Sharma, the founder of Funkadesi, a multicultural band that has been blending African and Indian sounds for 28 years; Neena Hemmady, a ComEd executive who established the first South Asian lesbian organization in the 1990s; Rebekah James Lovett, founder of Thambusami, Ankur Varmar, founder of Brown Men Therapy and Pooja Shah, a creative director from Kenya whose photography business fosters solidarity with Black communities.
Referencing the global activism sparked by George Floyd’s murder, she noted the importance of sustaining that commitment and acknowledged that anti-Blackness is often subconscious and deeply ingrained in society.
Cindu highlighted the need for collective action to dismantle these systems and invoked James Baldwin’s words: “We can’t fix what we won’t face.”
Healthy Hood Chicago hosted the event and welcomed everyone to the gathering. Based in Pilsen, Healthy Hood Chicago is dedicated to closing the city’s 20-year life expectancy gap by engaging local youth to address health issues, emphasizing mental and social well-being.
Brenda, a member of Healthy Hood Chi, encouraged attendees to seize the opportunity to connect, share stories and build collective strength, expressing gratitude for their commitment to this vital work.
Defining Anti-Blackness
To frame the discussion, it is crucial to define anti-Blackness as a form of discrimination that profoundly affects the wealth, safety and well-being of Black Americans. Furthermore, anti-Blackness is not just a “white people’s problem”; it is a systemic issue perpetuated by all racial groups. White supremacy establishes whiteness as the societal norm against which all others are measured. Many South Asians, for example, navigate this hierarchy by aligning more closely with whiteness to achieve success.
Casteism and Its Impact
Another critical issue to address is casteism within our communities. Casteism is an ancient system that fuels colorism and anti-Blackness, often operating unnoticed. South Asians must examine our relationship with caste and understand how it places us within a hierarchy that impacts others.
Casteism involves prejudice and discrimination against caste-oppressed individuals, limiting their social, economic and educational opportunities. This systemic oppression, perpetuated through violence and impunity, must be included in our discussions as we strive for liberation.
Panel Introductions and Personal Stories
Photo Credit: Reeva Date
As the discussion progressed, the panelists shared personal experiences with anti-Blackness and emphasized community solidarity. Keisha Matthew, a former school counselor, stressed the need for kinship and accountability, stating, “This is not going to be a one-time thing. We’re here to build together.”
Skyla Hearn contributed a powerful metaphor about healing: “Imagine getting bitten by a snake; instead of recovering from the poison, you chase the snake to prove you didn’t deserve to be bitten. True healing begins when we focus inward rather than seeking validation from those who hurt us.”
This highlighted the importance of personal growth over anger.
Keisha also addressed societal stereotypes affecting Black women, saying, “We see harmful images that dehumanize their experiences,” and urged attendees to recognize these stereotypes within their perceptions.
The panelists shared personal anecdotes of their encounters with racism. Cyriac Matthew reflected on his childhood in predominantly white neighborhoods, noting, “I felt like an outsider, which opened my eyes to the injustices that exist.”
Vinay recounted growing up in a predominantly white town near a majority Black community, sharing experiences of racial slurs and the educational system’s complicity.
“I didn’t fully grasp the historical context at the time, but those experiences instilled in me a desire to understand the roots of these injustices,” he explained.
A Call to Action
As the event concluded, the panelists encouraged attendees to take their reflections and discussions beyond their shared space.
“We need to interrogate our relationships with systems of oppression,” Hearn urged. “This is about more than just dialogue; it’s about action and accountability.”
In the spirit of unity and progress, the evening ended with a collective commitment to dismantling the systems of oppression that bind communities together. The participants were inspired to continue their work toward a more equitable future through understanding, dialogue and collaboration.
Coming Together
Photo Credit: Reeva Date
SASM is a volunteer-run organization committed to promoting justice, inclusion and equity in Chicago and beyond. Led by a diverse team of Chicago leaders, SASM creates educational opportunities and experiences focused on anti-oppression and social change.
The organization’s quarterly engagements center on three core pillars: self-reflection and continued learning, community engagement to build solidarity among South Asian and fellow BIPOC communities and social impact to inspire South Asians to support communities beyond their own. Proceeds from SASM events are donated to local nonprofits that align with these goals.
Additionally, SASM is excited to announce a donation of over $600 to Healthy Hood Chicago to support their important mission.
For more information about the event and guest speakers, attendees can follow SASM on Instagram and visit their website, www.sasolidaritymovement.com.
About Post Author
