Friday, October 23, 2020

"Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson - "The Origins of Our Discontents"

 


Isabel Wilkerson established herself as a writer of significant influence with the publication of her landmark work, "The Warmth of Other Suns." This seminal work chronicles the Great Migration of post-Civil War blacks northward to the industrial centers of Chicago, Detroit, New York, et al. In her most recent book, she examines racism in the light of the concept of caste. The subtitle of "Caste" is "The Origin of Our Discontents."


Wilkerson examines three caste systems: India, Nazi Germany, and the United States. Linking these three societies together is not something I would have been able to do on my own, with the author leading the way toward new levels of awareness with her insights and anecdotes. I had chills when I read that when the Nazis came to power in Germany, they wondered how to cement their cultural views of racial purity into a well synchronized legal system They turned to the Jim Crow laws of the post-Civil War South as their template:


"By the time that Hitler rose to power, the United States 'was not just a country with racism,' Whitman, the Yale legal scholar wrote, 'it was the leading racial jurisdiction - so much so that even Nazi Germany looked to America for inspiration.' The Nazis recognized the parallels even if many Americans did not." (p.81)


The author does an excellent job of making her case for racism being a form of caste by sharing the Eight Pillars of Caste that can be found in the three societies examined in this book.

Pillar Number One: Divine Will and the Laws of Nature

Pilar Number Two: Heritability

Pillar Number Three: Endogamy and the Control of Marriage and Mating

Pillar Number Four: Purity versus Pollution

Pillar Number Five: Occupational Hierarchy

Pillar Number Six: Dehumanization and Stigma

Pillar Number Seven: Terror as Enforcement, Cruelty as a Means of Control

Pillar Number Eight: Inherent Superiority versus  Inherent Inferiority


The author spends the remaining 200 plus pages offering specific examples of how these eight pillars have undergirded the particular caste systems in India, Nazi Germany, and the U.S. In a very moving Epilogue, Wilkerson shares how Albert Einstein served as a bridge between the caste systems of Germany and the U.S. After fleeing the antisemitism of Nazi German's caste system, Einstein settled in Princeton, New Jersey. He was shocked to find that he had not completely escaped the depredations of caste:

"In America, Einstein was astonished to discover that he had landed in yet another caste system, one with a different scapegoat caste and different methods, but with embedded hatreds that were not so unlike the one he had fled"

'The worst disease is the treatment of the Negro,' he wrote in 1946. . . . He could 'hardly believe that a reasonable man can cling so tenaciously to such prejudice.'"(p. 378)

When Einstein and his wife learned that acclaimed opera singer Marian Anderson was denied lodging at the local Nassau Inn, they welcomed her to stay in their home, beginning a friendship that endured until Einstein's death. His awareness of the parallel between the oppression of Jews in Germany and blacks in America awakened in him a strong sense of responsibility to act.

"And so he did. He co-chaired a committee to end lynching. He joined the NAACP. He spoke out on behalf of civil rights activists, lent his fame to their causes." (p. 379)

The parallel to our day is striking. As the Black Lives Matter movement has grown in the wake of countless examples of death and injury from police brutality, like Einstein in post WWII America, leading lights in academia, sports, the arts, and politics are using the bully pulpits afforded them by their fame to speak and act against the invidious aspects of racism that persist to our day.

Enjoy!

Al

8 comments:

Conley Tiffany said...

Dr Itua cure my HIV, I have been a ARV Consumption  for 10 years. i have been in pains until i came across Dr Itua on blogs site.I emailed him about my details of my HIV and my location i explained every thing to him and he told me that there is nothing to be scared of that he will cured me, he gave me guarantee,He ask me to pay for items fees so when i'm cured I will show gratitude I did and giving testimony of his healing herbs is what I'm going to do for the rest of you out there having HIV and other disease can see the good work of Dr Itua.I received his herbal medicine through EMS Courier service who delivered to my post office within 5 working days.Dr Itua is an honest man and I appreciate him for his good work.My GrandMa called him to appreciate him and rest of my friends did too,Is a joy to me that I'm free of taking Pills and having that fat belle is a nightmare.you will understand what i'm talking about if you have same problem I was having then not now though.I'm free and healthy Big Thanks To Dr Itua Herbal Center.I have his calendar too that he recently sent me,He Cure all kind disease Like,Cancer,Herpes,Hiv,Hepatitis B,Fibroid,Diabetes,Dercum,Copd ,and also Bring back Ex Lover Back..Here his Contact  .drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com Or Whats_app Number +2348149277967

seosmart said...

Pure Talent is no. #1 recruitment agency, executive search & manpower supply company in UAE. You can find best contingent, hr consulting & project staffing solutions with us.

Customer Support | Live Chat Service said...

Is TurboTax Available on a CD?

If you are having the question about is TurboTax available on a CD then yes users can use CD. With this, your return will be stored locally on your laptop or computer. Users can install their software on computer. When you need to prepare several returns of family or friends then CD / download product is a better value. It will allow you to e-file up to 5 federal returns. Also, there are some tax situations that TurboTax online will not cover. If you need file partnership, corporate, and estate returns then you need to get the TurboTax CD or download product.

HOW TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROCEDURE FOR VERIZON TO SPEAK TO A HUMAN?

If the user wishes to speak with a representative from Verizon. When calling Verizon, the user can speak with a live person. Here's a quick guide to getting started. The user should first dial +1 (800) 922-0204. Enter the pin code in the automated message. "I'd like to speak with someone right now," the user says. "Got it," the automated system says. "Could you please provide me with more information?" Say, "No." "No problem," says the user. Kindly share with me as I transfer your call." A live person will contact you as soon as possible. This explains the procedure for Verzion speak to a person.

Why is Turbotax not working on Safari?

The most common cause of Turbotax not downloading is if you are using the Safari browser. While there is no official statement from the company behind TurboTax that they don't support Safari, many users have reported multiple issues using Turbotax with Safari. To solve Turbotax not working on Safari, you need to upgrade your Mac or change your browser. You can use either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for any tax-related work. If you still face issues with Turbotax after changing your browser, try to update the browser you were using. For example, if you were using Safari and now want to use Google Chrome, go to Settings > App Store and click Update next to Google Chrome. This will ensure your computer has all necessary updates installed and check whether any software needs updating.

Can you install TurboTax on a Windows 10?

The answer to can you install TurboTax on a Windows 10, is yes! These are the things you need to do to install TurboTax. The first step is to download the TurboTax installation file from the TurboTax website, the second step is to run the installation file, and the third step is to enter the product key code you received via email when purchasing your software online. Now you can install turbo tax on your pc without a CD/DVD driver. If you face any issues while installing TurboTax software on windows 10, try reinstalling your operating system. If the issue persists, uninstall the previous version of your application by following the same steps mentioned above and after restarting your computer, install it again.

hastenchemical said...

Refrigerated Courier Services – Texas ensure the safe and timely delivery of temperature-sensitive goods, maintaining the integrity of perishable items throughout their journey. These services are vital for industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.




Charbonnel said...

"ترافل" (pronounced "Tarafal") is a small coastal village located in Cape Verde, known for its beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere. It's a popular destination for tourists seeking a tranquil getaway, offering stunning ocean views and a taste of local Cape Verdean culture.




Anna Thomas said...

Isabel Wilkerson's "The Warmth of Other Suns" is truly a literary milestone. For an interior space that reflects such brilliance, explore the best interior Fit-Out Company in UAE to create a space of equal significance.

CMOLDS Mobile App Development Company in Dubai said...

CMOLDS stands out among app development companies in Dubai, offering tailored solutions that blend creativity and technology seamlessly. Our expert team specializes in crafting innovative mobile applications, ensuring your brand shines brightly in the dynamic digital landscape of Dubai.

R3_international said...

"Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson is a groundbreaking exploration of the hidden caste system in America. Drawing parallels with India and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson illuminates how caste structures shape society, influencing privilege, power, and oppression. Through poignant stories and extensive research, she reveals the deep-rooted inequalities and offers a profound reflection on the enduring impacts of caste in the United States. This blog is a goldmine of information. Your blog packs a punch in just a few sentences. Your words are like gems. Thank you for sharing this! A quick, delightful read that left me inspired Thanks! "Your comment is like a burst of confetti, adding joy to our blog. Each word is a brushstroke on the canvas of conversation, creating a vibrant tapestry of ideas. We eagerly await your next insight, as your contributions light up our digital world. Thanks for being our comment superstar!" elfbar price