Caste Discussion Group
For our December 1 session, we look forward to discussing Part Five – The Consequences of Caste (pp. 263 to 208) and hopefully starting into Part Six – Backlash (pp. 311 to 357). To help you prioritize your reading, we encourage you to try to get through at least Chapter 27 in Part Six – the Symbols of Caste (pp. 333 to 349).
As with last week, after a brief introduction and discussion on the front end, we look forward to spending extended time in the smaller group setting, before coming back as a larger group to further discuss several of the themes that Wilkerson highlights.
As you read Parts Five and Six, consider these questions below. As in prior weeks, we hope to work through these topics in our small and larger group settings.
In Chapter 20 (pp. 268-278), Wilkerson references the “Inevitable Narcissism of Caste.” She notes that although we often think of a narcissistic diagnosis as applied to individuals, it also manifests as “group narcissism”. What is your reaction to Wilkerson’s contention about the idea of “group narcissism”? Can you point to any examples?
Wilkerson observes that “dominant caste Americans” show a significant level of curiosity about the ethnic, and thus caste, origins of their fellow Americans. (p. 277). How do we draw the boundary between caring curiosity about one’s origin story on the one hand, and the type curiosity that in effect looks to better understand one’s historical caste?
In her chapter on the Stockholm Syndrome, Wilkerson references a few examples where black victims forgive white offenders, including Botham Jean’s sibling’s statements at the sentencing of police officer Amber Guyger, and the families of the victims of the massacre at Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston forgiving the shooter (pp. 283-289). She quotes Roxane Gay: “White people embrace narratives about forgiveness so they can pretend the world is a fairer place than it actually is.” How does this resonate with you as a person of faith? What is your reaction to the contention that white people are really asking for “absolution” when they demand forgiveness from a traumatized community?
Last week, we referenced Wilkerson’s point that the “irony of the quest of the lowest caste is that it is the very uprightness arising from this quest that incites the greatest backlash.” (p. 230). In this week’s reading about the Consequences of Caste, Wilkerson highlights some of the costs from the quest beyond the direct backlash. “The caste system,” Wilkerson writes, “takes years off the lives of subordinate-caste people the more they find themselves in contention with it.” (p. 307) Does any of this resonate with you? Do you have any personal observations / stories that corroborate or counter this statement?
In “Symbols of Caste” (pp. 333-349), Wilkerson highlights a litany of eamples where the symbols of caste are embedded in our everyday life. What examples do you see in your day-to-day journey? How should we as people of faith approach / engage with these historical symbols of caste?
Thank you again for your engagement with this important work. We very much look forward to our discussion on Tuesday evening, December 1 at 7:00 pm CST.
Lucas and Terry