Professor Shailaja Paik’s work brings to light how gender and sexuality have been used as tools of oppression against Dalit women within a Brahminical society.
Professor Shailaja Paik, an Indo-American historian and expert in Dalit studies, has become the first Dalit person to receive the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the “Genius Grant.” This honor, which includes an $800,000 award, acknowledges her groundbreaking research into the intersections of caste, gender, and sexuality, particularly focusing on the lived experiences of Dalit women in modern India.
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Born and raised in Maharashtra, Paik experienced the deep-seated caste-based discrimination firsthand, which fueled her dedication to exploring the social, political, and cultural dynamics that shape the lives of Dalit women. Her work brings to light how gender and sexuality have been used as tools of oppression against Dalit women within a Brahminical society.
Her books, such as Dalit Women’s Education in Modern India: Double Discrimination and The Vulgarity of Caste: Dalits, Sexuality, and Humanity in Modern India, trace the struggles and resistance of Dalit women through history.
Her research combines the analysis of historical documents, oral histories, and overlooked narratives, bringing attention to how Dalit women, through acts like theatre and arts, reclaim their identities.
Paik’s scholarship has contributed significantly to understanding the resilience and agency of Dalit women, helping to challenge dominant caste narratives.
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Shailaja Paik’s work has not only influenced academia but also advanced global discussions about caste, gender, and human rights. With the MacArthur Fellowship, she plans to further her research and activism, continuing to highlight the inequalities perpetuated by the caste system while advocating for a more inclusive and equitable society.