As if other sorts of prejudice aren't stupid enough...

[bassybill]

We seem to have issues with caste prejudice to make matters worse.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12011112

I was going to say it's hard to believe that there are still people dumb enough to perpetuate this knuckle-headed sort of idiocy in 2010, but the sad truth is that it's not that hard to believe at all.

Hearing about this sort of stuff is something I find immensely depressing. I honestly don't know whether to despise the people who are fool enough to hold such opinions or pity them for being ignorant in a manner that is not of their own making.

[MonetBass]

Yep, some people refuse to evolve. It's mind-blowing to say the least. If I weren't such a "glass half full" kind of guy, the phrase "I shall not lament the human race" would be rattling in my brain when I read things like this.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Caste prejudice happens everywhere.

And let's not forget that this is specifically discussing Hindu and Sikh people, who do the caste thing differently than the West.

[shadowtippy]

Prejudice is alive and well. Our (USA) caste system functions about the same. You didn't go to the right school, don't wear the right style clothes, don't play the right instrument, don't live in the right neighborhood, etc....People should be more like me. I am not prejudiced, I hate everyone with equally. Quite often, I don't even like myself.

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by shadowtippy

Prejudice is alive and well. Our (USA) caste system functions about the same. You didn't go to the right school, don't wear the right style clothes, don't play the right instrument, don't live in the right neighborhood, etc...

I hear what you're saying, but avoiding the possibility of the merest touch of another person because of what their surname is or the job that their grandfather used to do seems to take things to a different level entirely.

Originally Posted by article

''I have a customer, who is from a higher caste than me and she refuses to make any physical contact with me.

"She will never taken any change from me because she doesn't want to touch me. This is a shocking practice of caste prejudice in this country,''

[billhilly66]

I believe that is in refference to Hindu and Sikh folks. Isn't the caste system a religeous deal with them and if it is, aren't we being predjudiced in our views of other people's religeous beliefs by condeming them? Ain't multiculturalism fun?

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by billhilly66

I believe that is in refference to Hindu and Sikh folks. Isn't the caste system a religeous deal with them and if it is, aren't we being predjudiced in our views of other people's religeous beliefs by condeming them? Ain't multiculturalism fun?

I have no problem at all with condemning the stupidity of any belief which prohibits touching another person based on the criteria I mentioned. If people subscribe to such beliefs, they're the ones who would have trouble justifying their views, not me.

The fact that such beliefs is are products of a different culture to our own does not make them in any way rational or defensible, nor does it mean that the unhappiness and suffering that these beliefs cause should be considered acceptable. Let's not be so open minded that our brains fall out.

[billhilly66]

Sorry I was taken seriously. I guess I should have done a sarcasm tag. I personally don't cut anyone slack for being a jerk just because their culture or religion dictates it. Whether it's keeping women in tow sacks, the caste thing, or banning liquor sales on Sundays.

[jp58]

Open-mindedness only goes until the point where something destructive happens. When wives are getting burned, children are dying, people are prevented from touching others not in their caste, etc., the right to call that belief irrational/unacceptable is completely fair game.

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by billhilly66

Sorry I was taken seriously. I guess I should have done a sarcasm tag.

I sort of got that, but thought it was worth being totally clear about my views on this.

And jp58 - spot on.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by billhilly66

I believe that is in refference to Hindu and Sikh folks. Isn't the caste system a religeous deal with them and if it is, aren't we being predjudiced in our views of other people's religeous beliefs by condeming them? Ain't multiculturalism fun?

Multiculturalism is not the issue at all. I can easily respect someone else's beliefs, even if they see me unfavorably. My problem comes in when their beliefs keep me from living the best life I can have.

[pie_man_25]

in much the same way that other individuals are barometers for an individual's ideals - ie. I have an idea that eating thumbtacks is a good idea, I tell you, and you say "dude, that's a stupid idea, if you do that, you're stupid" - other cultures are barometers for a culture's ideals - ie. "dude, you believe in discriminating somebody else because what their grandfather did for a living wasn different from what your grandfather did? that's a stupid idea, if you do that you're stupid."

In other words, while it may not be allright to criticize the fact that they don't eat cows - it's their right to eat what they want to - it is completely allright to judge and criticize their more serious issues, like the "caste" system.

[Lady Kayri]

When you're talking about what someone eats, how they worship, etc. that only affects THEM, and it doens't bother me. When what they do affects OTHER PEOPLE, that's a horse of a different color...

[macaroni tony]

I'm glad they're taking steps against the caste system over there; I hope it does some good

[DerHoggz]

What always blew my mind was the whole "the thicker the accent, the poorer" deal in England. How did that even work?

[mid_life_crisis]

Better school educates the worst of the accent out of you. That costs.

[billhilly66]

Originally Posted by DerHoggz

What always blew my mind was the whole "the thicker the accent, the poorer" deal in England. How did that even work?

Same thing here in the states. Not a lot of CEO's sound like they"re from the hood or the sticks.