Author: Isabel Wilkerson

Genre: Nonfiction

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Isabel Wilkerson’s book is an important read, simply to see race from another perspective: one of a caste system. I was interested in seeing how the caste system influences everything from how we vote to how our caste influences our health. Wilkerson has good arguments to back the points that she raises, but they seem to be a little too simplistic and repetitive. 
I wonder how other races play into the caste system. I know when other white individuals came over, say from Ireland, they were mistreated, but still higher caste than African Americans due to to their skin color. How do people from Asia, Mexico/SA, and India fit in our caste system? We are not a country of just black and white. Does the Caste system apply to them as well? I am also interested in the role technology plays in the caste system. Or how it differs from people in Wilkerson’s (and prior) generations vs the younger generations. Before all the social media, it was easier to stay in your own pocket of the world and be taught what prior generations wanted you to know. Now, you can easily speak to people all over the world, of all different races and background. People have preconceived notions about a certain culture that the younger generations are more educated about due to their access to the internet and real time data. 
I think there is still a lot to be done. There needs to be more people of diversity all around us. If we are reading a book, watching tv, social circles, schools, work etc… and we look around and everyone is the same race/ethnicity/political belief, then I do not think we are learning as we should. I would have liked to see several things a little different for this book to be more impactful: 1. the first chapter goes on about electoral college vs. popular vote. I think we need to remember the presidential candidates do not campaign for popular vote. If they did, then we could compare those outcomes, but as it stands right now, they are campaigning in certain areas for a purpose. It also touched on Trump being a perfect example of our caste system: a white male, privileged, without any political experience and taking what he wants, causing divide etc… (all true) and does not discuss Bill Clinton and the way he took what he wanted as well (also facts), or the allegations against Biden and his assault on women or his racist comments such as when he said “poor people can be just as smart as white people”. Trump did not have any political experience, but he was elected due to his business experience which is what at least 50% of the voting American’s wanted at the time: someone who was not a “career politician”. My point is most white men have advantage as the highest caste, across all political lines. And how does someone like Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice play into this caste system and politics? 2. The chapter on caste and our health was interesting, however, I do think more things such as overall mental health, genetics, food, exercise, smoking, environment, abuse, drinking etc… play a much larger role. I am not denying caste plays a role in some way, but I do not think that is the main reason black women have more fat as the book claims. I think it is not just one explanation. Black men are stereotyped as being athletic and muscular, with this explanation, you would think white men would be specimens of perfect health but instead they walk around (confidently) in their dad bods. 3. I would like to see solutions. Again, it is interesting to see how caste plays a role, but what can be done about it? I applaud Wilkerson’s bravery and knowledge and research she has put into this book, and I do think it has very important things to consider. I would like to see it balanced out, trimmed of one sided politics (since white males are the most privileged and are on both “sides”) and given solutions to the problems, and then it could be handed out as required reading as so many people claim it should be. 4 stars for the important topic it covers and the research that brought this book about.