Most of the South Asian countries have been known to be practicing hierarchical divisions commonly known as the caste system. It is divided into four sub-divisions that are; Brahmins (high priests and teachers), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), vaishyas (farmers, merchants and artisans) and the Sudras (labourers). Initially the caste system was used to promote harmony among the social groups but in contrast, it was misused and brought up divisions which resulted in poverty among the lower class (Dalits). Caste system basically has been pointed out to largely have contributed to the 29% poverty in India among other factors such as high population.
The lower class are discriminated against by high class mostly due to lack of education bringing about violence and consequently low economic development ( Prof. Mridu Rai, 2009) . The belief that the lower class (Dalits) are only supposed to work as slave labourers so as to pay for the debts of their ancestors (Rao,2010) has made them earn low incomes compared to the high class. It is also hard to rise above the poverty line as the rules set aside to prevent this. For example, there is a rule that states, no marrying outside one's caste, therefore, the poor marry among themselves hence no economic progress through marriage.
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Similarly, in the United States, there is a similar scenario termed as ethnic stratification where African Americans and other people of colour are discriminated against by the whites. To support their bias in allocation of facilities such as employment, education and housing the whites argue that non-whites are biologically inferior and have a low intelligence level and hence they don’t deserve better treatment. Secondly, the whites value hard work but they believe other have no work ethics and lack strong family values, therefore, affecting their performance
Despite the continued fight against the caste systems and ethnic stratification by civil right groups, the affected people, and the government, this discrimination still persists. Mass education would be an effective way to eliminate this bias in the two nations. People need to be educated on the negative impacts of the caste system or racial discrimination and the benefits of unity within the nation for their prosperity and that of the nation.
References
Prof. Mridu Rai: Caste system in India (2009). [Motion Picture]. Retrieved May 16, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7_zmUghLmw
Rao, J. (2010). The caste system: Effects on poverty in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Global Majority E-Journal , 1 (2), 97-106.
