Origin: How the Study of Caste Changes Inclusion Discourse for the Better
Ava DuVernay's "Origin" is a biographical picture based on the New York Times bestselling nonfiction book, "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents." The film follows the story of Isabel Wilkerson, a journalist. Wilkerson, a prolific reporter and writer, finds herself propelled into uncharted waters by a series of events. The death of Trayvon Martin at the hands of George Zimmerman sparks a question that Wilkerson wants answered: Why does the current discourse on race continue to perpetuate divides and seemingly miss the mark altogether? How do we address systemic problems rooted in a legacy of history extending beyond our current generations? What are we missing in our understanding?
The film portrays Wilkerson's reluctance to undertake such an investigation. Initially hesitant to leave her aging mother behind, Wilkerson is pushed forward in her inquiry after losing her husband and mother in the same year. Traveling across the United States, Germany, and India, she researches some of the darkest chapters of human history. This results in a thesis that links these chapters together and challenges our notions of systemic injustice.
"Origin" teaches us that the world we build in our personal lives is inseparable from the political. They share the same spaces and often shape the fabrics of our realities, even when unnoticed. By expanding on the concept of caste, Wilkerson draws parallels between Black Americans in the United States, Jewish people under Nazi occupation, and the Dalits of India. These connections transcend geography, race, class, and other sociopolitical markers. Wilkerson also illustrates the parallels between those who resist caste actively and those who embrace it to further their own ends.
At first glance, these historical points seem unrelated. However, Wilkerson brings them together and shows how they are intertwined, not only in a shared legacy of conquest but also in how they informed each other. Whether it be the documented evidence of Nazis looking to American segregation, references to caste, and how it shapes societies, or how resistance movements influenced leaders to challenge such practices.
Throughout the movie and the book it's based on, both DuVernay and Wilkerson highlight instances where resistance to caste affects not only the disenfranchised but also those who benefit from such a system. Wilkerson speaks about how violence and systemic injustices ultimately dehumanize all involved. It's a call to reckon with the humanity of everyone involved and to explore these challenges with grace and nuance.
Even before Wilkerson's name reached my ears, I found myself pondering the current affairs of the world today. Everything we see and know is intricately linked to a shared legacy rooted in empire and conquest. Wilkerson takes it a step further and shows us how these forces are linked and informed by one another. She also points out that these issues weren't solely created by Western imperialism but extend as far back for as long as humanity has grappled with concepts of justice, liberty, and truth.
I realized that alongside the legacy of empire and conquest lies a legacy of resistance. While divisive forces persist, it's the everyday dissent of people that makes a difference and changes the course of history, albeit often dangerous and unpopular.
Though I grapple with my place in the world amid turmoil, I'm reminded of wisdom that assures me wherever I am, I am capable of doing something. While our struggles span time and place, we are rooted in a common history of exploitation and liberation. Our responses define who we are, as evidenced in Wilkerson's journey, learning from scholars, activists, and everyday people living under the weight of caste.
By incorporating caste to expand our understanding of empire, we create space to see past the boxes it puts us in. We open doors to foster a more critical engagement with human history. The inclusion of caste challenges us to look beyond the surface and address the heart of inequality. Though the task ahead is daunting, it's necessary for human survival and understanding.
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