Author: Isabel Wilkerson
Isabel Wilkerson’s “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” offers a profound reevaluation of American society, arguing that an unseen caste system — not just race — shapes its foundation.
She asserts that white Europeans historically occupied the dominant caste, while Black Americans were placed at the lowest level, influencing interactions across all groups.
Wilkerson supports her analysis with historical parallels, highlighting recurring features: Religious narratives justifying hierarchy, beliefs in inherent purity vs. impurity, inherited social positions and enforcement through social sanctions.
Central to her framework is the metaphor of America as an “old house,” showing that entrenched structures must be addressed to understand present disparities.
