In India, there's something called the caste system. People were (and in many places, still are) classified into groups based on many things - skin colour, mental capabilities, innate nature, and so on. They were allocated societal functions according to their caste. And some castes are superior to other castes. Even today, we consider, for example, our household helpers "lower caste," and don't like them to touch our stuff like our drinking-water bottles or whatever. Now here are my questions:
1. Since this is so widely accepted, even by the lower castes themselves, is India the most racist country in the world?
2. Was there some Good in the original idea, because, IMHO, all people are NOT created equal? (The idea degraded when the upper castes began to grab too much power.)
3. In response to this, the government gives way too much opportunity to the lowest castes. Is this racist or progressive?
4. Do you think I'm backward in believing that all people are not created equal?
2007-01-09 17:31:38 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
1. The 'caste system' as you described does not fall under racism because there is no white, black, yellow, brown, etc. issue. The issue is the difference in the status of specific segments of the society. It's not racism but a cultural traditions.
2. Science proves that each person is born unique and a champion. Everybody is born with the same attributes except the color of the skin and type of hair. The man-made 'classification' is passed on from parentst to offsprings, so the offsprings have no choice but to be in that classification from the day they are borned. As to the abuse, it is also a natural tendency for the powerful to control the less powerful in a society.
3. The giving of more benefits to lower castes, from my point of view, is progressive. It's a balancing strategy. More opportunities for the needy and less for those who haves. This has always been the strategy to pacify the restlessness of citizens who feel that the government is made up of higher castes.
4. No. You're not backward because you have been brought up (situational) to believe that. People, who believe otherwise, should respect your opinion.
2007-01-09 17:57:54 · answer #1 · answered by Willie Boy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It partly depends on whether the different castes actually are different races. Various schools have done experiments where prejudicial situations are built on characteristics that are not considered racial (like hair or eye color) but can't be changed.
Normally, people who think about equality consider "created equal" to mean created with equal opportunity and without arbitrary limitations unrelated to ability.
The caste system was bad for the country from the beginning because while individuals are not created equal in ability to deny a person education or advancement because of their parent's standing in society denies the well proven fact that any society produces leaders and geniuses at all levels. The greatest good for all and the society as a whole is to provide education to the limits of each person's ability to learn and explore the world.
2007-01-09 17:47:47 · answer #2 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For me your question is two fold, from a Godly perspective - all are created equal, born of a woman and die at the end of life. This mere fact equalizes all persons in relationship to God.
However, "gifts" are distributed to each person by way of the father, so in that sense all are not equal. However this is regularly misinterpreted and exploited by men with evil in their hearts (arrogance). That is why having right understanding of "self" and the limits of "self" are important.
An analogy would be a child who is born with a mental defect, innately inferior to others - but what does it say about the society that would not take the postition of God and judge that child unto death, but instead use its resources to comfort, help and assist that helpless soul?
Which position do you think has the highest value.
2007-01-09 17:56:02 · answer #3 · answered by LadyB!™ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All people are children of God, and are therefore equal in that way. It's true that we are all not equal in different abilities, but it's not appropriate to show someone less respect as a result. We all need each other.
As far as racism, I'm afraid it exists in every country that I know of. I'm not sure that the caste system is considered an example of racism because people in the same castes are of the same race. But it's discrimination.
2007-01-09 17:38:22 · answer #4 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Caste System was outlawed in India decades ago.
However you're right, it still exists and there is no way to stop it.
I have seen well-off people of Indian descent pass beggars by and make comments on how the poor "deserve what they got". It is the general belief that anything in this life was "earned" by your previous life's success/ failure.
2007-01-09 17:39:27 · answer #5 · answered by wolf560 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think you are prejudice since you believe all people are not created equal.
All countries have racism. Each one has their season of cruelty bestowed upon them.
You use the term "widely accepted" meaning you accept your own viewpoint. OK., so you're narcissistic.
Yes, I think you are "backward" and narrow-minded.
2007-01-09 17:51:44 · answer #6 · answered by Soul Shaper 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well in this country (USA) all men are created equal really meant all adult white male land owners are created equal.
2007-01-09 17:38:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
This may steer you in the right direction, thanks for your honesty!!
2007-01-09 17:35:58 · answer #8 · answered by kluvs2write 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋