March Book Club: Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
In 2020, Oprah selected Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson for her wildly popular book club, stating that this selection was her “most vital” book recommendation yet. Oprah suggested, "It explains why we are where we are in terms of racial injustice and inequality, and it shows us how to rebuild a world in which all are truly equal and free."
At the beginning of the year, Origin, a film based on the book, was released in theaters to critical acclaim. Starring Aunjanue Ellis as Wilkerson, Origin chronicles Wilkerson’s journey as she researched and wrote the book Caste.
Given the attention that these companion texts have received, we’re selecting Caste and Origin for our March book club.
In Caste, Wilkerson attempts to identify and explicate the genesis for human created hierarchies across the globe. The book uses the concept of caste to connect antisemitism in Nazi Germany, white supremacy in the U.S., and caste in India. Both the conclusions and the analytical maneuvers Wilkerson makes throughout the book are, in our estimation, politically and factually misguided.
We did not choose this text in order to affirm its politics. We went back and forth regarding this book for so long that we missed the February book club announcement and now we’ve set it for March. However, Caste does offer us an entry point to discuss the cultural dimensions of imperialism and the capitalist world economy.
Despite our reservations, we encourage people to read and discuss this book. We will cover both the book and the film throughout March.
