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Caste

a man sleeping on the ground outside of a temple

Housing segregation in India has affected millions of people for several generations

Sacred Nation

For generations, people have moved from rural areas to cities to find opportunities. But new research shows neighborhoods in Indian cities are segregated according to caste and religion, and that impacts upward mobility for residents.

In her new book, author Isabel Wilkerson, right, argues a caste system — not race — explains inequality in the United States.

Author Isabel Wilkerson: Caste, not race, is the ‘bones’ of inequality in the US

Khafre Jay, the executive director of Hip Hop for Change, based in Oakland, says he has experienced anti-black actions from Indian Americans when visiting his in-laws in Sunnyvale, a suburb of the Bay Area that is majority South Asian.

A Black radio host calls on South Asian Americans to reject racism

A large group of people sit on a wooden boat with a man rowing at the head of the boat toward a golden colored city at night.

In ‘Twice Born,’ author Aatish Taseer explores the impact of caste in today’s India

Caste in America
A woman looks to the side.

Caste discrimination exists on college campuses. Some schools are trying to change that.

Caste in America
A man in business attire holding a briefcase walks past a shirtless man stooping over plastic bags

Does America have a caste system?

Caste in America

Many Americans would be appalled to think that anything like caste could exist in a country allegedly founded on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But can looking at the US through the lens of caste tell us more about inequality in America?

Several women in saris and a man laugh

Even with a Harvard pedigree, caste follows ‘like a shadow’

Caste in America

Suraj Yengde, part of the Dalit or “Untouchable” caste in Hinduism, rose from a segregated slum in India to a fellowship at Harvard, collecting advanced degrees along the way.

Sujatha Gidla, author of 'Ants Among Elephants. An Untouchable Family And The Making Of Modern India.'

In India, she was ‘untouchable.’ In New York City, she became an author.

Culture

Sujatha Gidla was born ‘untouchable,’ one of India’s lowest castes. She was bullied at school and constantly made to feel ashamed of who she was. Then she moved to New York City and became a subway conductor. Her latest achievement? A memoir about her life in India.

Girls eating their lunch at a government school in Bawani Khera village, in south central Haryana.

India’s free school lunches can fight — or reinforce — caste discrimination in India

Lifestyle & Belief

On the one hand, India’s school lunch program encourages children from lower-caste communities to enroll in school. And where the program works well, it brings children from different castes together. But in some states, the program is actually used as a tool to reinforce discrimination.On the one hand, India’s school lunch program encourages children from lower-caste communities to enroll in school. And where the program works well, it brings children from different castes together. But in some states, the program is actually used as a tool to reinforce discrimination.

At a government school in Paposa, Haryana, children devour kadhi and rice.

India’s school lunch program not only fights hunger — it can breed tolerance

Lifestyle & Belief

When India launched its massive school lunch program, the aim was to boost school enrollment and feed some of the country’s poorest children. But in some schools, it is having an added, and unexpected, benefit — reducing discrimination against those in lower castes. When India launched its massive school lunch program, the aim was to boost school enrollment and feed some of the country’s poorest children. But in some schools, it is having an added, and unexpected, benefit — reducing discrimination against those in lower castes.