Caste Terms

Caste is a person’s perceived rank in their society’s social hierarchy. Under a caste system, those in subordinate castes are denied “respect status, honor, attention privileges, resources, benefit of the doubt, and human kindness” based… read analysis of Caste

Casteism is the practice of discriminating against a person based on their caste, or their perceived category in society. read analysis of Casteism

Post-racialism is the theory that categories of race are no longer relevant, and that racial discrimination no longer exists. Some people believe that Barack Obama’s presidency signaled a post-racial United States. Wilkerson, however… read analysis of Post-Racialism

The Third Reich, meaning “Third Realm” or “Third Empire,” was the name the Nazi Party gave to their era of totalitarian governance in Germany (and, eventually, throughout Europe as they occupied countries like Poland and… read analysis of Third Reich

The word “Aryan” was initially used to define a group of ancient Indo-European people who invaded modern-day India and conquered its indigenous people many millennia ago. But by the early 20th century, some scholars and… read analysis of Aryan

Eugenics is the study of controlling reproduction in humans to encourage certain genetic traits that are considered desirable. Eugenics was largely discredited as unscientific and racist after Adolph Hitler’s Nazi regime used eugenics (specifically… read analysis of Eugenics

The Jim Crow era (which lasted from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century) and its attendant Jim Crow laws created a violent atmosphere of racial segregation throughout the American South. Jim Crow laws… read analysis of Jim Crow

The Reconstruction era lasted from 1865–1877, following the American Civil War, and was aimed at rebuilding the South and helping masses of formerly enslaved Black Americans secure rights and adjust to life as newly free… read analysis of Reconstruction

The varnas are the four major traditional castes in India’s caste system: the Brahmin, the Kshatriya, the Vaishya, and the Shudra. Based on ancient definitions of caste, the Untouchables—now known as… read analysis of Varna

Jati is the term for the many thousands of subcastes, or castes within castes, that make up Indian society. read analysis of Jati

Formerly known as “the Untouchables,” the Dalits comprise the bottommost rung (or subordinate caste) of India’s ancient caste system. In fact, they’ve been considered and treated so lowly throughout history that they exist almost… read analysis of Dalit

The Shudras are the second-lowest caste in the modern-day Indian caste system. They’re traditionally categorized as the “bearer[s] of burden” and often conscripted to service roles in society. read analysis of Shudra

The Vaishyas are the third-lowest caste in the modern-day Indian caste system. They were historically defined as the “engine” of the caste system and traditionally occupy merchant and trader roles in society. read analysis of Vaishya

The Kshatriyas are the second-highest caste in the modern-day Indian caste system. Traditionally defined as warriors, protectors, and rulers, Kshatriyas enjoy relatively high regard and privileges in Indian society. read analysis of Kshatriya

The Brahmins are the highest caste in the modern-day Indian caste system. Said to have been created from the mouth of an ancient god known as Brahma, the Brahmins are considered “nearest to the gods”… read analysis of Brahmin