Book 2 Posts 1 & 2 - Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents

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Post 1

The next book that I plan to read is "Caste - The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson. From what I gather, the book explores the effects of race and class on social hierarchies. It seems that it will focus mostly on America, but draw comparisons between our history and the history of other civilizations. As a history lover, it sounds like a fascinating read and I am looking forward to its arrival in the mail - though I realize I should have it by now.

My current understanding of "caste" comes from my high school history classes. To be more specific, the only times I can remember hearing the word were in the units on feudal Europe and a more contemporary India - not here and not now. For that reason, I never thought of the United States as having rigid socioeconomic tiers in the same way that those historical eras and civilizations did. That said,
I have no doubt that this book will prove that such structures do exist in the present day.

Post 2

This book offered a unique perspective on the history of the United States. Most think of oppressive racial hierarchy as one of the major themes of the country's history, and it is. But this book argues that what was (and is) actually at play was a caste system in which race was a major contributor in determining socioeconomic status. It argues that there were (and are) other factors that affect status as well.

Wilkerson notes that caste has important implications in terms of how people see each other. In an interview with presidential historian and MSNBC contributor, Jon Meacham, about this book, she said:

"Caste essentially determines [whether someone has] respect, benefit of the doubt, access to resources or lack thereof" and affects "assumptions of [their] competence and beauty and intelligence."

The book provides examples that effectively argue these points. She refers to India's system in which, though the traditional castes are no longer "legal", the caste groups are treated as political monoliths. She relates this to the United States' political groupings in which socioeconic status - determined by factors like race, education level, income, place of origin, etc. - have a profound effect on Americans' political identities.

Her point about caste status determining assumptions of competence, beauty, and intelligence is especially prudent. This made me question my own prejudices. When have I assumed that another person is incompetent, unattractive, or unintelligent for no other reason than my perception of them as "less fortunate". When have factors like wealth, race, level of education, etc. obstructed my ability to clearly see the value in other people? These are questions which I hope to be more aware of moving forward, not only because holding caste-based prejudice is harmful to others, but because it because it is harmful to me as well.