Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

Wilkerson seldom names Donald Trump in her discussion of his campaign, electoral victory, and policies. How is this choice consistent with her arguments that casteism and racism are systemic problems?

How do caste systems depend on violence and the acceptance of violence to maintain themselves?

How does caste damage those who benefit from it and make society overall less productve?

How does segregation help reinforce racial stereotypes and prevent solidarity? 

How is caste an intense and often negative emotional experience for all those who live under it, regardless of their degree of privilege?

How does Wilkerson’s use of her own experiences support her argument that caste is omnipresent? 

Wilkerson sometimes casts herself as the “home inspector” for the American caste system, though she also considers caste as a theatrical play. How does she work to foster empathy in the reader as a way of dismantling caste systems?

Explain how caste and race are inextricable from each other in the United States. How does discussing caste instead of racism make Wilkerson’s arguments more convincing?