Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

 

In this book, author Isabel Wilkerson states that American society is based upon a caste system similar to the caste system seen in India and Nazi Germany.  In our case, the caste system is used to differentiate those who is allowable to treat differently, those of the African American race. It is a systemic issue that permeates throughout all aspects of society, housing, education, the job market,  the legal system and the acceptance of casual violence against those in the lowest caste.

This book is thoroughly researched and most can find things they didn't know about the history of race relations in the United States.  It might be the lynchings that took place as scores and sometimes hundreds watched the brutality.  It might be the parallels between how the Nazis treated the Jewish population, basing their treatises on American examples.  It could be the personal stories sprinkled throughout the book of Wilkerson's own experience living as an African American in the United States.

This book garnered praise in many places.  It was the Time #1 nonfiction book of the year.  It was a National Book Award longlist nominee, a National Book Critics Circle finalist and many other literary awards.  Wilkerson was the first black woman to win the Pulitzer for journalism.  Her first book, The Warmth From Other Suns, told the story of the black migration north and won many awards.  She has also taught and lectured at many universities.  Readers will find this to be an important book that gives them material to focus their thoughts on race and how our society needs to be changed to give all Americans equal opportunities.  This book is recommended for nonfiction readers.