Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

Isabel Wilkeron's powerful exploration of caste systems is a critical resource for anyone who wants to disrupt harmful hierarchies. The book examines three of the most prominent caste systems in history: Nazi Germany, India, and the United States. While each seem to be very different, Wilkerson explains eight universal “pillars” of caste systems. These range from justifications of divine will and inherent superiority to terror and dehumanization. The workings of caste systems manifest in all of us different ways, and requires serious internal, and external, work in order to resist.

Wilkerson explains that we cannot look to blame any one person or institution, “but because of our cultural tendency to believe that if we just identify the presumed-to-be-rare offending outlier, we will have rooted out the problem. The problem could have happened anyplace, because the problem is, in fact, at the root.”

We must dig deeper and consistently work to be better disruptors ourselves. This process often begins with education, introspection, and meaningful connections with others.