95
Volume:
2020
,
September

Locking Out Unreasonable Treatment

Submitted By:
Nidhi Pardue McVicar, The Overlake School, Redmond, WA

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
Random House, August 4, 2020

As educators approach a school year that will challenge our courage, our stamina, and our fundamental beliefs, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents comes at the right time. This book offers a powerful analysis of the systems of hierarchy that have brought us to the cusp of a national election where, even now, the question of the "eligibility" of a nominee persists because of her race and ethnicity. Author Isabel Wilkerson examines an American caste system rooted in race, class, and the other hierarchies we use to rank ourselves against others. She intertwines well-researched history and moving stories to compare America to two of the world’s most infamous caste systems: India and Nazi Germany. Wilkerson describes the structural pillars of castes and the process of systematic dehumanization that locks out the marginalized and then justifies their unreasonable treatment. The book skillfully links history and current events, making it a valuable resource for social studies educators. But it is ultimately a book of hope for anyone trying to better understand and interrupt oppression. It offers students a lens through which to learn about the roots of nationalism and the economic and social costs of the American caste system, and it helps to reinforce that we are not alone in our fight. We remain responsible to one another.

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