During Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s trip to India, he observes the camaraderie and interconnectedness between the Black people of America and the Dalits of India. Listen to the following audio clip of Dr. King as he recounts his visit to India in his “I am an Untouchable” sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church:
Is it possible for drastically different cultures to share a common thread? This module takes learners through two distinct but interlinked scenarios:
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s dialogue with W.E.B. Du Bois.
- The ripple of the Black Panther Party’s mission in the United States across the Pacific to the Maori people of New Zealand.
Learners will use primary resources to understand the connective tissue of global caste systems between different societies.
“I want in a few words to impress the fact upon you that the negro problems in America today are simply signs of a deeper national problem and not isolated phenomena; that were there not a single black man in this land, the essential character of this basic problem would remain to be settled and settled too, not by refusing to see it and keeping it silent about it, but by resolutely attacking it. That problem is the spirit of caste that is arising in a land which was founded on the bed-rock of eternal opposition to class privileges.”
— W. E. B. Du Bois
ACTIVITY: PART I
DR. AMBEDKAR X W. E. B. DU BOIS
PRIMARY SOURCE
Primary sources are from the time period in which a person lived. They can be accounts of a person’s life, like the letters between Dr. Ambedkar and W. E. B. Du Bois you just read.
SECONDARY SOURCE
Secondary sources are ones written later by historians that explain a past event or person’s life based on primary sources. Secondary sources include things like biographies. The word ‘story’ is tricky because sometimes it is used to mean fiction but other times, especially when referring to a life story, it means non-fiction.
Learn more about each author using articles, videos and other secondary sources.
WHO IS DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR AND WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID HE MAKE TO INDIAN SOCIETY?
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Throughout India, you will see statues of Dr. Ambedkar in parks, at road crossings and in railway stations, villages and cities. In “ORIGIN,” our protagonist, Isabel, learns about Dr. Ambedkar as she studies the history of the Dalit people in India. Growing up, he was considered an “untouchable,” a name given to Dalit people at that time. As a child, he was separated from other children of high caste, as there was a belief that Dalit people would “pollute” members of the caste system simply by touching them. He was not even allowed to touch things his classmates would touch, including the school’s water. Dr. Ambedkar rose above the challenges of his early life and went on to earn two Ph.D.s from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, becoming a prominent Indian jurist, social reformer and chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
SUGGESTED READING
WHO IS DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR AND WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID HE MAKE TO INDIAN SOCIETY?
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Throughout India, you will see statues of Dr. Ambedkar in parks, at road crossings and in railway stations, villages and cities. In “ORIGIN,” our protagonist, Isabel, learns about Dr. Ambedkar as she studies the history of the Dalit people in India. Growing up, he was considered an “untouchable,” a name given to Dalit people at that time. As a child, he was separated from other children of high caste, as there was a belief that Dalit people would “pollute” members of the caste system simply by touching them. He was not even allowed to touch things his classmates would touch, including the school’s water. Dr. Ambedkar rose above the challenges of his early life and went on to earn two Ph.D.s from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, becoming a prominent Indian jurist, social reformer and chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
SUGGESTED READING
WHO IS W. E. B. Du BOIS AND WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID HE MAKE TO AMERICAN SOCIETY?
W.E.B. Du Bois
As the first Black American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University, Du Bois established himself as a leading thinker on the race problem and one of the most important Black protest leaders in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century. Not only was he a founding member of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Du Bois was also a pioneering scholar who conducted groundbreaking data-based research on the conditions of African Americans, notably in his seminal work, “The Souls of Black Folk.” In “ORIGIN”, Isabel relies heavily on “Biography of a Race,” a biography of W.E.B. Du Bois’ work, in developing her thesis on caste.
SUGGESTED READING
WHO IS W. E. B. Du BOIS AND WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID HE MAKE TO AMERICAN SOCIETY?
W.E.B. Du Bois
As the first Black American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University, Du Bois established himself as a leading thinker on the race problem and one of the most important Black protest leaders in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century. Not only was he a founding member of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Du Bois was also a pioneering scholar who conducted groundbreaking data-based research on the conditions of African Americans, notably in his seminal work, “The Souls of Black Folk.” In “ORIGIN”, Isabel relies heavily on “Biography of a Race,” a biography of W.E.B. Du Bois’ work, in developing her thesis on caste.
SUGGESTED READING
CLOSE READING OF PRIMARY SOURCES: Read two letters. One from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to W. E. B. Du Bois and one from W. E. B. Du Bois to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Highlight key passages and points made by the authors.
Letter from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to W. E. B. Du Bois: Dr. Ambedkar, identifying himself as a representative of the “Untouchables of India” and someone studying the challenges faced by African Americans, conveyed his curiosity about the NAACP’s appeal to the United Nations. He mentioned that his organization was contemplating a similar action and, as a result, asked for copies of the suggested statement.
Image Credit: Ambedkar, B. R. (Bhimrao Ramji), 1891-1956. Letter from B. R. Ambedkar to W. E. B. Du Bois, ca. July 1946. W. E. B. Du Bois Papers (MS 312). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries
Letter from W. E. B. Du Bois to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: W.E.B. Du Bois committed to sharing the NAACP’s statement with Dr. Ambedkar as soon as it was ready and conveyed his support for Ambedkar’s cause.
Image Credit: Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt), 1868-1963. Letter from W. E. B. Du Bois to B. R. Ambedkar, July 31, 1946. W. E. B. Du Bois Papers (MS 312). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- In what ways did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and W.E.B. Du Bois advocate for social change and equality within their respective societies?
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote about his experiences of being compared to a Dalit while visiting India. How might Dr. King’s reflections on caste-based discrimination in India resonate with the struggles faced by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and W.E.B. Du Bois?
- How do these shared experiences of discrimination and oppression contribute to a broader understanding of interconnected struggles for civil rights and social justice across different time periods, cultures and societies?
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- In what ways did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and W.E.B. Du Bois advocate for social change and equality within their respective societies?
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote about his experiences of being compared to a Dalit while visiting India. How might Dr. King’s reflections on caste-based discrimination in India resonate with the struggles faced by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and W.E.B. Du Bois?
- How do these shared experiences of discrimination and oppression contribute to a broader understanding of interconnected struggles for civil rights and social justice across different time periods, cultures and societies?
ACTIVITY: PART II
NEW ZEALAND AND AMERICA: CLOSE VIEWING
The global phenomenon of caste reveals a common thread of resistance efforts worldwide. Just as Dr. Ambedkar, a Dalit leader, sought inspiration from the efforts of Black Americans led by Du Bois, Maori individuals from New Zealand, particularly those affiliated with the activist group Ngā Tamatoa and the Polynesian Panthers, also drew lessons from the Black Panther Party in the United States.
“When the British colonized New Zealand, they left the country’s indigenous Māori population with nearly no land; war and new diseases they introduced to the islands nearly killed off all Māori. Nevertheless, Māori managed to survive — and for decades they protested against the British crown’s pillaging. By the 1970s, the crown could no longer ignore Māori’s mass uprisings rallying for justice; it was forced to respond and established a tribunal to investigate how it violated Māori sovereignty over New Zealand. Since 1995, the British crown has been engaged in a process of land settlements with Māori — giving the tribes back land and cash, and offering apologies for their historical and modern-day thefts. By putting billions of dollars into this reparations program since the mid-1990s, New Zealand is leading the world with this kind of atonement and redress.” -Vox
“When the British colonized New Zealand, they left the country’s indigenous Māori population with nearly no land; war and new diseases they introduced to the islands nearly killed off all Māori. Nevertheless, Māori managed to survive — and for decades they protested against the British crown’s pillaging. By the 1970s, the crown could no longer ignore Māori’s mass uprisings rallying for justice; it was forced to respond and established a tribunal to investigate how it violated Māori sovereignty over New Zealand. Since 1995, the British crown has been engaged in a process of land settlements with Māori — giving the tribes back land and cash, and offering apologies for their historical and modern-day thefts. By putting billions of dollars into this reparations program since the mid-1990s, New Zealand is leading the world with this kind of atonement and redress.” -Vox
POLYNESIAN PANTHERS
The Polynesian Panther Party (PPP) (founded in 1971) was a social justice and civil rights movement established in New Zealand in response to systemic racism and discrimination against Pacific Islanders, who were often subjected to police brutality and other forms of discrimination.
Founded by Will ‘Ilolahia, a Tongan community leader, the group was heavily influenced by the Black Panther Party and adopted many of its principles and tactics, including community-based programs and direct action.
The PPP worked to challenge racism and discrimination against Pacific Islanders, as well as to promote social justice and self-determination for Pacific Island communities in New Zealand. They organized protests and rallies, established community programs such as free health clinics and education programs, and advocated for greater political representation for Pacific Islanders.
The PPP had a significant impact on New Zealand society. Many of their initiatives, such as the free health clinics, were later adopted by the New Zealand government and became permanent fixtures in Pacific Island communities.” – National Union of Healthcare Workers
POLYNESIAN PANTHERS
The Polynesian Panther Party (PPP) (founded in 1971) was a social justice and civil rights movement established in New Zealand in response to systemic racism and discrimination against Pacific Islanders, who were often subjected to police brutality and other forms of discrimination.
Founded by Will ‘Ilolahia, a Tongan community leader, the group was heavily influenced by the Black Panther Party and adopted many of its principles and tactics, including community-based programs and direct action.
The PPP worked to challenge racism and discrimination against Pacific Islanders, as well as to promote social justice and self-determination for Pacific Island communities in New Zealand. They organized protests and rallies, established community programs such as free health clinics and education programs, and advocated for greater political representation for Pacific Islanders.
The PPP had a significant impact on New Zealand society. Many of their initiatives, such as the free health clinics, were later adopted by the New Zealand government and became permanent fixtures in Pacific Island communities.” – National Union of Heathcare Workers
BLACK PANTHER PARTY
The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPP) was founded in October 1966 in Oakland, California by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, who met at Merritt College in Oakland. It was a revolutionary organization with an ideology of Black nationalism, socialism, and armed self-defense, particularly against police brutality. It was part of the Black Power movement, which broke from the integrationist goals and nonviolent protest tactics of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The BPP name was inspired by the use of the black panther as a symbol that had recently been used by the Lowndes County Freedom Organization, an independent Black political party in Alabama.” – National Archives
BLACK PANTHER PARTY
The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPP) was founded in October 1966 in Oakland, California by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, who met at Merritt College in Oakland. It was a revolutionary organization with an ideology of Black nationalism, socialism, and armed self-defense, particularly against police brutality. It was part of the Black Power movement, which broke from the integrationist goals and nonviolent protest tactics of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The BPP name was inspired by the use of the black panther as a symbol that had recently been used by the Lowndes County Freedom Organization, an independent Black political party in Alabama.” – National Archives
PROCEDURE
BEFORE watching the documentary, answer these preliminary questions:
ANTICIPATE
- Why do you think the group is called the “Polynesian Panthers”? What associations or ideas does this name evoke for you?
- What do you anticipate or expect to see in the documentary based on what you know or assume about the name “Polynesian Panthers”?
- Are there caste systems in New Zealand?
WATCH THIS DOCUMENTARY:
Polynesian Panthers
Video Credit: NZ On Screen
AFTER watching the documentary, answer these preliminary questions:
CONTEMPLATE
- Why are they actually called the “Polynesian Panthers”? How does the documentary explain the origin and significance of this name?
- In one sentence, summarize the key information or insights you gained about the “Polynesian Panthers” from watching the documentary.
- From what you’ve learned so far in this learning companion, can you find examples of caste in the documentary?
PROCEDURE
WATCH THIS DOCUMENTARY:
All Power to the People: Black Panthers at 50
Video Credit: Oakland Museum of California
COMPARE AND CONTRAST
FILL OUT the comparison graph. Based on the information you learned in each documentary presentation, how are the Polynesian Panthers and the Black Panthers similar and/or different?
LESSON 2: OVERVIEW
Caste Around
The World
LESSON 2: MODULE 2
Mapping Caste
