A group of us created ENJAN a decade ago after being inspired by a book read of Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow. Since then, there has not been another book with the same power to inspire a new way of thinking about the plight of Blacks and other minorities in America.
Caste: But now there may be such a book: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, published earlier this year. Wilkerson defines caste as "the granting or withholding of respect, status, honor, attention, privileges, resources, benefit of the doubt, and human kindness to someone on the basis of their perceived rank or standing in the hierarchy." The caste viewpoint confirms everything already known about racism, but expands the vision dramatically. If a person or institution is considered racist, one can imagine -- at least in principle -- that that person's or institution's racism can be rooted out. Not so with caste. Caste is not a property of particular individuals and particular institutions. Caste is an intrinsic property of the American social structure, as well as that of India, and, according to Wilkerson, of Nazi Germany. Racism can be thought of as a localized phenomenon, and therefore more manageable. Caste is a property of our society, and therefore much more intractable.
Book study circle: A few of us from Race Unity Circle (RUC), Dutchess County Interfaith Council, and ENJAN are organizing an 8-session study circle on Isabel Wilkerson's book Caste. The study circle will be held in cyberspace every other Sunday, from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM, beginning January 3. Attendance is limited to 30 people. If more than 30 people sign up, a separate study group may be organized. As is traditional in RUC, an attempt will be made to ensure a diverse group.
You can register for the Caste book study circle here.
Bill