Coming Out as Dalit: A Memoir of Surviving India's Caste System Updated Edition BY Yashica Dutt

"Coming Out as Dalit" by Yashica Dutt is a poignant coming-of-age narrative that unveils the enduring systemic injustices faced by Dalits in India and their reverberations in American society. Born into a family traditionally associated with manual scavenging, Dutt explores her journey growing up in small-town India, where she learned early on the societal pressures of not appearing visibly Dalit. Despite legal protections against caste discrimination since 1950, Dutt’s personal and extensively researched account illustrates how deeply entrenched casteism remains in Indian society.

The book blends personal experiences with rigorous investigative reporting, offering a critical analysis of how caste influences various facets of life in India—from entertainment to judicial systems—and its extensions into US institutions. Dutt delves into the historical exploitation of the caste system by colonial powers, the advocacy of figures like Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, and the missed opportunities in addressing caste prejudice, even by leaders like Gandhi.

Originally published in India in 2019 and winner of the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puruskar, the expanded edition includes new chapters exploring the migration of caste issues to the US. Dutt examines the history of caste discrimination in American contexts and the persistence of bias within South Asian communities, influencing professional sectors and prompting policy changes in leading institutions.

"Coming Out as Dalit" not only invites readers into Dutt’s personal journey of grappling with identity and discrimination but also serves as a catalyst for crucial conversations on embracing Dalit identity and confronting caste prejudice globally. It sheds light on how caste continues to shape social dynamics, urging readers to rethink their perceptions and engage in efforts to dismantle systemic inequality.