Poetic Justice Foundation's OVERCASTE exhibit debuts at Burnaby Village Museum, March 18 to 28
Project co-curated by Anita Lal offers insights into Dalit Canadian struggles and resilience through stories, photographs, timelines, and more
Unveiling of the Poetic Justice Foundation’s OVERCASTE exhibit at Burnaby Village Museum.
Burnaby Village Museum presents the Poetic Justice Foundation’s OVERCASTE exhibit from March 18 to 28 from 11 am to 4:30 pm
IN OCTOBER 2023, the Ontario Human Rights Commission released a policy outlining the definition and impact of caste-based discrimination in Canada, a first of its kind amongst the provinces.
Following that decision, the Poetic Justice Foundation is now unveiling its new exhibit OVERCASTE at the Burnaby Village Museum. Drawing upon personal stories, illuminating photographs, historical timelines, and interactive displays, the collection co-curated by Poetic Justice Foundation co-founder Anita Lal sheds light on the undeniable existence of caste discrimination in Canada.
The Poetic Justice Foundation is a Canadian non-governmental organization committed to challenging structural oppression and discrimination. It hosted a celebratory media opening and tour of OVERCASTE on March 13, which featured remarks from Lal and New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh.
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, the caste system is a hierarchy that originated in ancient India which determines a person’s social class at birth. The system controls who people are allowed to marry, what they can eat, what jobs they may hold, and how they are treated within society. The people most disadvantaged by the caste system are called Dalits (legally known as Scheduled Castes), which translates to “oppressed” or “broken”.
In B.C., the effects of the caste system are still felt within the Punjabi community. Status can impact many aspects of life; a Dalit may be unable to rent an apartment from a caste system-abiding landlord, could face harassment from peers at school, or might face prejudice from colleagues at work.
OVERCASTE is an opportunity for folks to gain insight into systemic inequality and learn about the Dalit Canadian experience. While the exhibit offers unsettling truths, it also provides a platform to reflect upon positive changes that can be made in society.
Burnaby Village Museum visitors can view the OVERCASTE’s debut during spring break from March 18 to 28, before it embarks on a travelling tour. 
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh (centre) speaks at the unveiling of the Poetic Justice Foundation’s OVERCASTE exhibit at Burnaby Village Museum.
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