NZ Pākehā media: How to Report on the Indian Diaspora 101:

when you sniff out an article to write about, whether it's diwali or poppadoms, ask yourself the following questions! (thread)

@radionz @TheSpinoffTV @nzherald @NZStuff

[0/8]

how does this issue relate to caste?

caste underpins Indian society. chances are, you found yourself an Hindu expert source who is of a privileged caste, such as a Brahmin. don't let them erase the reality of casteism, ask how your topic may apply differently by caste.

[1/8]

how does this issue relate to religion? (esp. Islamophobia)

India's religious mosaic includes a large minority of Muslims, who are repeatedly persecuted, as they are now. your Hindu source likely cannot shed light on those perspectives. seek out other religious views.

[2/8]

how does this issue relate to the Hindu-supremacist movement?

Hindu supremacy was within India since before independence and now is in government. this authoritarian, identitarian, nationalist agenda touches everything — e.g. does your diwali/hindi/poppadom advance it?

[3/8]

how does this issue relate to women, and gender and sexual minorities, and Disabled Indians?

Hindu-supremacist patriarchal Brahminism actively marginalizes many groups of people now as in history. always consider how your topic affects people who are often erased.

[4/8]

how does this issue relate to Indian capitalism?

from the East India Company on, capitalism and its classes has shaped India, often overlapping with caste. now globalized capital and Indian multinationals are affecting markets and environments everywhere.

[5/8]

how does this issue relate to the Indian constitution?

the ongoing drift of Indian politics/governance away from the 70 year old Indian constitution is an overarching story above every issue, and helps to measure the scale of change wrought by the Hindu supremacists.

[6/8]

how does this issue relate to regional politics?

Indian foreign policy towards its neighbours influences so much of its culture and the behaviour of its diaspora. whatever your story is about, it is likely not isolated from regional politics, including border disputes.

[7/8]

[8/8]

if you ask the above questions seriously and pursue it with your sources — finding new sources who are not just savarna Hindu cis-het men too — you might be able to deliver a story that is better than this: https://twitter.com/_ashmip/status/1319096040595881984