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meenssssss's review
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
4.5
academic criticism enlightened with anecdotal evidence, criticism should always be like this ! critic shouldnt be expected to be removed from their identity in their writing
megsnewcar's review
4.0
This book is a must-read for the whole South Asian community. Both a searing analysis of the facts and a moving narrative of the author's experience, it lays out the many horrors of the "wheel of dominance" and how millions of people are suffering under the doctrines of caste. Those who dismiss this as a "rural" issue ignore the enormous disparities present in every aspect of Indian society. Moreover, Dalits are often the focus of modern understandings of caste, but how many of us have looked in the mirror and acknowledged how caste has shaped us and our thinking?
This is certainly an academic text, thick with jargon and occasionally repetitive. As a member of the diaspora, my limited knowledge of Indian politics often hampered my full understanding of the book. But that demonstrates the need for me to dive deeper into my knowledge of casteism, while also doing more to speak up and publicly decry the caste system.
Having seen Dr. Yengde speak, and learning of the harassment, alienation, prejudice, and humiliation he has endured here in the U.S. in speaking out against casteism, it is clear that even the diaspora has a crucial role to play in the future of the subcontinent. We can begin here, now.
This is certainly an academic text, thick with jargon and occasionally repetitive. As a member of the diaspora, my limited knowledge of Indian politics often hampered my full understanding of the book. But that demonstrates the need for me to dive deeper into my knowledge of casteism, while also doing more to speak up and publicly decry the caste system.
Having seen Dr. Yengde speak, and learning of the harassment, alienation, prejudice, and humiliation he has endured here in the U.S. in speaking out against casteism, it is clear that even the diaspora has a crucial role to play in the future of the subcontinent. We can begin here, now.
calamur's review
4.0
Yengde's book is a look at the reality of Caste in India in the second decade of the Millenium.
The book is divided into a set on themes in which Yengde places his arguments on the nature of caste, and how it impacts a large part of the Indian population even today.
Interspersed with the stories of him growing up - as well as extremely pointed data from the government - the story of caste in 21st century India, is a story of an atrocity considered over, rather than persisting even today.
If you are from the priveleged castes this would be difficult reading/listening. But i would still recommend that you do read this to be more aware of the reality of caste.
The book is divided into a set on themes in which Yengde places his arguments on the nature of caste, and how it impacts a large part of the Indian population even today.
Interspersed with the stories of him growing up - as well as extremely pointed data from the government - the story of caste in 21st century India, is a story of an atrocity considered over, rather than persisting even today.
If you are from the priveleged castes this would be difficult reading/listening. But i would still recommend that you do read this to be more aware of the reality of caste.
roshreviews's review
4.0
#BookReview
Caste Matters by Dr. Suraj Yengde
If you try searching for the genre of this book on Google or Goodreads, the answer that is thrown up is "Autobiography". But when I picked up this book, I found that it isn't as much of an autobiography as it is a call for action, a manifesto if you will.
I had seen an interview of Dr. Yengde where he says, "I challenge every Indian to take their own shit in their hands and hold it for a few seconds. You won't be able to do it. And you expect others to get into your shit and clean it for you." That was one heck of a statement and he blew me away with his candour. This book came on my radar soon after.
Dr. Yengde knows his content well, no doubt about that at all. Caste Matters gives a great deal of information into the historical caste system, and how it is practised even today. This book is a treasure trove of insights: known, forgotten and suppressed. The passion towards the cause is evident. His tidbits about Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, Shridhar Pant Tilak, Jhalkaribai and many such others are a revelation. Dr. Yengde doesn't mince words when he slams traditional Brahmin supremacists for their baseless superiority complex.
There are so many instances in this book that will shock you out of your comfort level. For someone like me, an urban citizen from a non-Hindu background who doesn't even understand the various Hindu castes, this book was an eye-opener into how deeply rooted the caste issue actually is and how people allow it to dominate their behaviour even in the 21st century. I now understand what "privilege" truly means.
But...
What I was expecting from this book was another Isabel Wilkerson. What I got was a Yuval Noah Harari. Now before you jump up in excitement and rush to order the book, let me admit that I'm not a Yuval Noah Harari fan. Just like Harari, Yengde sees facts from a one-sided perspective and indulges in too much generalisation. The author takes only those facts that support his hypothesis and ignores all others. I wouldn't exactly blame him for doing so, but to take a few instances of injustice and extrapolating it as being representative of the entire "upper caste" community is not right. (Or am I being too idealistic here?
Caste Matters by Dr. Suraj Yengde
If you try searching for the genre of this book on Google or Goodreads, the answer that is thrown up is "Autobiography". But when I picked up this book, I found that it isn't as much of an autobiography as it is a call for action, a manifesto if you will.
I had seen an interview of Dr. Yengde where he says, "I challenge every Indian to take their own shit in their hands and hold it for a few seconds. You won't be able to do it. And you expect others to get into your shit and clean it for you." That was one heck of a statement and he blew me away with his candour. This book came on my radar soon after.
Dr. Yengde knows his content well, no doubt about that at all. Caste Matters gives a great deal of information into the historical caste system, and how it is practised even today. This book is a treasure trove of insights: known, forgotten and suppressed. The passion towards the cause is evident. His tidbits about Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, Shridhar Pant Tilak, Jhalkaribai and many such others are a revelation. Dr. Yengde doesn't mince words when he slams traditional Brahmin supremacists for their baseless superiority complex.
There are so many instances in this book that will shock you out of your comfort level. For someone like me, an urban citizen from a non-Hindu background who doesn't even understand the various Hindu castes, this book was an eye-opener into how deeply rooted the caste issue actually is and how people allow it to dominate their behaviour even in the 21st century. I now understand what "privilege" truly means.
But...
What I was expecting from this book was another Isabel Wilkerson. What I got was a Yuval Noah Harari. Now before you jump up in excitement and rush to order the book, let me admit that I'm not a Yuval Noah Harari fan. Just like Harari, Yengde sees facts from a one-sided perspective and indulges in too much generalisation. The author takes only those facts that support his hypothesis and ignores all others. I wouldn't exactly blame him for doing so, but to take a few instances of injustice and extrapolating it as being representative of the entire "upper caste" community is not right. (Or am I being too idealistic here?