Blog #18: Oppression

Oppression in India and The United States Through the Lens of Caste and Race;

A Comparison

India and the United States, as vastly different as they may appear, actually share a relatively large number of similarities. With a common history of British rule followed by a bloody transition to independent democracy, as well as their status as global economic powerhouses (even at varying levels), there is much they have in common. Perhaps one of the most unfortunate, yet pertinent similarities the countries share is their long history of oppression and discrimination. Looking specifically at the oppression of “untouchables,” or Dalits, through the caste system in India, and the continued persecution of African Americans beginning with slavery in the United States, it is clear that both nations’ histories are not merely riddled with oppression, but that these histories were in many ways crafted by oppression itself.

Additionally, this oppression is not just a historical concept, but instead a present-day reality which continues to affect each nation’s culture and people to this day. Drawing a contemporary comparison between caste-based and racially-based oppression would be wholly insufficient without some sort of historical background, failing to paint an accurate picture of the complexities that have driven these different forms of oppression for years. Hence, though these histories may be lengthy, it is important to explain them at least in part, beginning with India’s caste system.

Believed to be nearly 3,000 years old[1], the caste system originates in the Hindu religion, and is recognized in the Manusmriti, an important and authoritative book of Hindu law. It is important to note that the term caste itself is simply an English conversion of the term casta, a Portuguese word introduced by early Portuguese colonists in India.[2] Originally, the caste system was actually the Varna system, which consisted of the four initial occupational classes which Hindu society was divided into. The four varna classifications were as follows; Brahmins—priests and teachers, Kshatriyas— warriors and royalty, Vaisyas— moneylenders and traders, and Sudras— menial workers. Additionally, some consider those who fell outside of this Varnasystem to constitute a fifth varna known as the Ati Sudras, a group perhaps more commonly identified as the “untouchables” (Deshpande, 2000).

Initially, the Varna system was based solely on qualifications and occupation. One’s occupation determined their varna classification, rather than vice versa, which made mobility within the system relatively easy. One could change their occupation, and their varna classification, in turn, would change to match it. This lack of rigidity also allowed for inter-varna marriages. It wasn’t until much later, with a growing population and an increasingly complex economy, that the rigid caste system most people are familiar with came into existence.[3]

Under the caste system, one’s classification was hereditary and unalterable. In contrast to the Varna system, one’s occupation was determined by the caste they were born into, with little to no social mobility. Inter-caste marriages were not allowed. Although it is unclear when this system originated, its severity was exacerbated under British colonial rule, the leaders of which encouraged the continuity of the rigid system in order to divide the population of India. This period of a harshly enforced caste system saw the legal oppression of “untouchables,” as well as severe persecution in terms of economic and social status (Chakraborty, 2019).

In contrast to the Varna and caste systems of India, slavery in the United States was not directly rooted in religion or religious texts. Instead, this system was brought into existence by early colonizers, who “imported” slaves as early as 1505, long before the United States was even a nation.[4]Additionally, unlike the caste system, which evolved over time to become more oppressive and rigid, slavery was inherently oppressive and rigid from its inception. The brutal treatment of slaves was justified by notions that they were somehow sub-human, and every black person— either brought from Africa or born in the Americas to African parents— was trapped in the position of slavery with no opportunity to escape. This absolute lack of mobility, and the oppression that accompanied it, is the common root for the contemporary discrimination of both Dalits and African Americans in India and the United States, respectively.

Following the most brutal periods of these systems of oppression was their formal destruction. The Indian Constitution, enacted in 1950, officially banned caste-based discrimination (Article 15), as well as “untouchability” (Article 17).[5]Although this was a necessary step in the effort to end caste-based discrimination, it obviously did not put an immediate end to it.

Similarly, slavery was abolished by the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1865 and states that “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States…” (National Geographic, 2018). Despite the Thirteenth Amendment’s attempt to create equality, almost immediately following the prohibition of slavery in the United States, “Jim Crow” laws were enacted, serving the sole purpose of discriminating against African Americans. These laws instituted a “separate but equal” hierarchy, in which black people and white people could use none of the same facilities, and in which schools, restaurants, hotels, etc. for blacks were inferior to those designated for their white counterparts. Discriminatory voting laws were also enacted, which intentionally made it extremely difficult for African Americans to exercise their constitutional right to vote. It wasn’t until the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act that these oppressive policies were actually made illegal, again attempting to create equality.[6]

A brief look at the history of both India and the United States clearly shows that systems of oppression have played a major role in the development of both nations. How, then, has this history affected the current state of oppression in both cultures, and what actions are being taken in these countries to combat this oppression?

One way in which these countries are similarly fighting persecution is through affirmative action policies, which is called the reservation system in India. Both of these systems were put in place in order to promote equality, and provide some sort of preference for historically excluded groups in regard to employment and education opportunities (Chakraborty, 2019). Despite the slew of past injustices, these reservation policies are highly contentious in both nations, with many claiming that they are unfair and actually promote division and inequality.[7]Nevertheless, these systems remain in place in an attempt to promote equality and diversity, and have become a core part of each nation’s educational and employment culture.

Presently, despite these efforts, it is undeniably true that discrimination still exists against Dalits in India and African Americans in the United States. In both intentional and unintentional manners, the history of oppression these minority groups have faced still has lingering effects today. One clear example of this is economic inequality. According to the Economic Policy Institute, in the United States, the rate of poverty among African Americans is 27.4%— the highest of any racial or ethnic group in the country— while the poverty rate among whites is a mere 9.9%.[8]Additionally, 45.8% of African American children under the age of six live in poverty, compared to only 14.5% of white children under the age of six (Economic Policy Institute). This is a clear example of how African Americans continue to be a disadvantaged minority group in the United States.

Comparatively, in India, data shows that there is a statistically significant relationship between caste affiliation and “inequality of outcome,” or salary.[9]When controls for pre-market inequalities (such as education and land ownership) were implemented in a study completed by researchers Desai and Dubey (2011), they found that Dalits were still more likely to receive lower incomes as compared to members of higher castes. In fact, a study conducted by the United Nations, in partnership with Oxford University, found that the poverty rate of Dalits in India is at 65.8%, compared to the rest of the population which has a poverty rate of approximately 33.3%.[10]This shows that caste status alone holds a certain level of responsibility for the income inequality and disadvantages Dalits face.

Another common example of continued oppression is the disproportionate imprisonment of both Dalits and African Americans. According to India’s 2011 Census, Dalits constitute less than 17% of the Indian population, yet account for 22% of the nation’s prisoners— this means nearly a quarter of all prisoners in India are Dalits.[11]Similarly, African Americans constitute merely 13.4% of the population of the United States,[12]yet comprise a whopping 34% of the nation’s correctional population.[13]These disparities illustrate yet again, that despite alleged efforts to combat it, discrimination against these two historically oppressed groups continues to be an omnipresent characteristic of both Indian and American culture.

Although caste and race are certainly far from the same thing, a quick comparison shows that the historically oppressed groups from each system— Dalits and African Americans— have faced a number of similar challenges through the course of each nation’s history. Additionally, both groups continue to face disadvantages in terms of economic inequality and disproportionate imprisonment, among other forms of discrimination and oppression. These issues of caste and race have permeated the lives, economies, education systems, and cultures of both India and the United States, and shed an important light on a comparable, if not unpleasant, characteristic of both societies— oppression.

[1]Deshpande, Ashwini. “Does Caste Still Define Disparity? A Look at Inequality in Kerala, India.” The American Economic Review, Vol. 90, No. 2 (May, 2000): 322-325. https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/117244.pdf

[2]Elder, Joe. “India’s Caste System.” Education About Asia 1, no. 2 (1996): 20-22. http://aas2.asian-studies.org/EAA/EAA-Archives/1/2/25.pdf

[3]Chakraborty, Aindrila. “Society: The Inner Experience of Caste: Dirt and Discrimination.” Lecture, Christ University, Bangalore, India, February 11, 2019.

[4]National Geographic Education Staff, and Caryl Sue. “A History of Slavery in the United States.” National Geographic Society, National Geographic, 28 Aug. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.org/interactive/slavery-united-states/.

[5]Constitution of India, 1950.

[6]Hansan, J.E. “Jim Crow Laws and Racial Segregation.” Social Welfare History Project, 15 Aug. 2018, socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/eras/civil-war-reconstruction/jim-crow-laws-andracial-segregation/.

[7]Rastogi, Vipul. “The Unseen Cost of Reservation Policy.” The Times of India, Business, 29 Apr. 2016, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/a-fresh-perspective/the-unseen-cost-of-reservation-policy/.

[8]“Poverty.”Economic Policy Institute. The State of Working America Data Library. http://stateofworkingamerica.org/fact-sheets/poverty/

[9]Desai, Sonalde, and Amaresh Dubey. "Caste in 21st Century India: Competing Narratives." Economic and Political Weekly 46, no. 11 (2011): 40-49. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41151970.

[10]“Two Thirds of India’s Dalits are Poor.” International Dalit Solidarity Network.(July, 2010). https://idsn.org/two-thirds-of-indias-dalits-are-poor/.

[11]Varma, Subodh. “Muslims, Dalits, and Tribals Make Up 53% of all Prisoners in India.” The Times of India (November 2014). https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslims-dalits-and-tribals-make-up-53-of-all-prisoners-in-India/articleshow/45253329.cms

[12]“U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: UNITED STATES.” Census Bureau QuickFacts, United States Census Bureau, www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045217.

[13]“Criminal Justice Fact Sheet.” NAACP, www.naacp.org/criminal-justice-fact-sheet/.