Beyond race, class, and other factors, there is a powerful caste system that influences people's lives and behavior. Isabel Wilkerson links the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, exploring the eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations. Wilkerson tells riveting stories about people to illustrate the ways that the insidious undertow of caste is experienced every day. She also points to ways America can move beyond the artificial and destructive separations of human divisions toward hope in our common humanity. Book jacket. The hierarchy of caste is not about feelings or morality. It is about power-- which groups have it and which do not. Wilkerson explores how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings. Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, bloodlines, stigma, and more. She discusses why the cruel logic of caste requires that there be a bottom rung for those in the middle to measure themselves against. Finally, she points forward to ways America can move beyond the artificial and destructive separations of human divisions, toward hope in our common humanity. Provided by publisher.

Includes index.

The man in the crowd -- A structure built long ago -- The arbitrary construction of human divisions -- The eight pillars of casts -- The tentacies of caste -- The consequences of caste -- Awakening -- Epilogue: A world without caste.