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katybradley888's review against another edition
I can't handle this book right now. I keep trying, but there is too much violence and just the absolute worst of humanity. I think it's definitely worth reading, its educational and insightful and makes some really important connections, but I can't do it right now. I need to protect my emotional health.
vikramx's review against another edition
5.0
The Aryan migration - 25,000 years my ancestors traced path from the melting glaciers of Eurasia into the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains ; and with them came forth an ideology devised to subjugate , conquer and maintain status quo which stands to this date – in direct confrontation with the indigenous groups (Dravidians) subsequently relegated to southern peninsula . The "Varnas” a system which ensued maintained a vice like grip on all aspects of life (since it is decided by birth) and operates with impunity even now ( Hathras case of lower caste Dalit / Harijan is just the tip )
What Wilkerson does so impeccably is draw parallels between the Indian Caste system with Slavery and Jim Crow segregation era .
As usual for any regressive ideology to survive it is supported an all too familiar scaffolding.
Divine or natural order – written in scripture ( Ham's curse , The Laws of Manu ) or it was intended by nature we should superior then them ( magnifying genetic differences to dominant group advantage ; eugenics ) Maintaining status quo by controlling livelihood mechanisms – Upper caste can only be landowners or priests etc. , while the Dalit are left to scavenging or other labors considered too demeaning , needless to say Wilkerson conclusively shows similar pattern closer at home . “Purity” ideological or racial – restrictions inter-racial or inter-faith unions, segregation apartheid laws & stigmatizing or ostracizing such families. Scapegoating – why there always the need for an “outsider” for projecting or blaming the deficiencies or failures on the subordinate caste or race .
These are just to name a few, the list is quite exhaustive and very well researched ; how mechanism are in place which operate at subconscious level of the dominate ape to discriminate and dehumanize the out group .
The subject that caught me off-guard was the Stockholm syndrome and how it operated in an tyrannical caste framework , also the studies on how the recent opioid crisis which ravaged the “rust belt” had largely effected the one race .
I always thread with trepidation and skepticism when delving into such racial topics - lest I fall into the same trappings of heard like thinking ; I must conclude Wilkerson has done an exemplary job in bringing to light systematic institutional prejudice without playing the victim card .
What Wilkerson does so impeccably is draw parallels between the Indian Caste system with Slavery and Jim Crow segregation era .
As usual for any regressive ideology to survive it is supported an all too familiar scaffolding.
Divine or natural order – written in scripture ( Ham's curse , The Laws of Manu ) or it was intended by nature we should superior then them ( magnifying genetic differences to dominant group advantage ; eugenics ) Maintaining status quo by controlling livelihood mechanisms – Upper caste can only be landowners or priests etc. , while the Dalit are left to scavenging or other labors considered too demeaning , needless to say Wilkerson conclusively shows similar pattern closer at home . “Purity” ideological or racial – restrictions inter-racial or inter-faith unions, segregation apartheid laws & stigmatizing or ostracizing such families. Scapegoating – why there always the need for an “outsider” for projecting or blaming the deficiencies or failures on the subordinate caste or race .
These are just to name a few, the list is quite exhaustive and very well researched ; how mechanism are in place which operate at subconscious level of the dominate ape to discriminate and dehumanize the out group .
The subject that caught me off-guard was the Stockholm syndrome and how it operated in an tyrannical caste framework , also the studies on how the recent opioid crisis which ravaged the “rust belt” had largely effected the one race .
I always thread with trepidation and skepticism when delving into such racial topics - lest I fall into the same trappings of heard like thinking ; I must conclude Wilkerson has done an exemplary job in bringing to light systematic institutional prejudice without playing the victim card .
spetty88's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0