The Unheard Scream: The Struggles of Dalit Women in India by Mary Grey, published by Centre for Dalit Subaltern Studies (Theology), India in association with Dalit Solidarity Network, UK and VODI – Voice of Dalit International, Academy Press, Noida, 2004, pp 102, Rs 125 (India only), U$ 8.00.
The author, Mary Grey, an English Roman Catholic woman theologian working with an NGO (Wells in India) for 16 years, has been involved with Tribals and Scheduled castes in India. The book recognizes that even within Dalit theology, the struggle of Dalit women goes almost completely unmentioned. It points out the “need to understand precisely how the intersection of the caste system with patriarchy, plus the misunderstanding and discrimination from both the feminist movement and Dalit movement as a whole - all contribute to the burden of suffering and injustice in the lives of Dalit women”.
The book tries to answer whether Christianity and Christian theology has improved or worsened the situation. This journey takes one through some of the remarkable stories of resistance, transgression, courage and hope. It explores the Dalit woman's earth related spirituality, relationship with goddesses and the subversive figure of Mirabai before turning to Dalit women and Christianity. The author exposes the Church itself as a stumbling block and which needs to repent of its replication of discriminatory structures that have further oppressed Dalit women. The book describes the broad outlines of an emerging Dalit feminist theology and offers some principles for its development. The author proposes a vision for Dalit women's liberation theology namely a “vision of flourishing”.
The book, though not offering an in-depth analysis, makes an overview of most issues relevant to Dalit women and Dalit feminist theologising. A good book for readers who want to be introduced to issues facing Dalit women and Dalit feminist theology as a whole.
– Jessica Richard
For orders, please contact Institute of Dalit (Subaltern) Studies, c/o Professor James Massey, House No 181, Sector 1, Pocket 1, Dwarka Phase 1, New Delhi 110 045, India. In UK, the book may be obtained for £5.00 from Mary Grey, D.J. James Professor of Pastoral Theology, University of Wales, Lampeter or Eugene Culas, Voice of Dalit International, 1 Amwell St., London EC1.
