Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. This book proves yet again when fully revealed history is painful. Caste is one of the most powerful books I have ever read.
Isabel is certainly forcing America to grapple with an understanding that our country was founded upon a coded class (caste) structure originating from India.
India’s caste system is based upon ancient Hindu text suggesting Manu, was an all-knowing man. One day he was approached by men asking “Please, Lord, tell us precisely and in the proper order the Laws of all the social classes as well as of those born in between.” So developed a caste system of classes including the highest, untouchable class across India.
Accordingly from this point forward Isabel delivers America’s caste system. Isabel developed a metaphor: America’s caste in the form of an old house that requires evaluation of the basement structure after severe weather. As you know an old house needs constant inspection.
Isabel is simply spot on with class events across our society. This book becomes more important now than ever to understand and comprehend our house’s aging framework.
Her book documents time after time how African Americans have been cruelly abused by a class system. Isabel’s analog is that caste is the bone and race is the skin.
400 years of caste in America
Indeed, this book’s structure reveals 400 years of caste in America. Surprisingly this began with the slave trade prior to the pilgrims’ arrival at Plymouth Rock in August 1619. In fact a Dutch slave trade ship arrived in America destined for the Caribbean. Isabel carries this forward to the Charlottesville car attack in August 2017. For more than 400 years caste is still shifting the foundation of America’s house.