In this episode of 'Ayana Explains It All,' host Ayana Fakhir delves into the concept of caste in the United States, drawing from Isabel Wilkerson's book 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.' Ayana discusses how caste, unlike race and gender, forms a hidden hierarchy that influences American society, politics, economics, and public policies. She examines the implications of caste on education, healthcare, criminal justice, and political ideologies, while also addressing the urgent need to acknowledge and dismantle this pervasive system. Tune in to explore the deep-seated inequalities shaped by this enduring social order.
00:00 Introduction: The Hidden Hierarchy in the US
01:03 Welcome to Ayana Explains It All
01:30 Podcast Availability and Support
02:58 Current Projects and Collaborations
04:42 The Concept of Caste in America
08:45 Historical Roots of the Caste System
10:35 Caste in Modern Public Policy
13:31 Political Parties and Caste
25:36 Healthcare and the ACA Debate
32:25 The Illusion of Scarcity in a Superpower
33:43 Healthcare and Political Hypocrisy
35:58 The Cost of Social Inequities
38:31 Crime and Prevention: A Deeper Look
41:07 Caste and Class in America
44:04 The Role of Political Parties in Caste
47:07 Caste in Policy and Society
52:07 Dismantling the Caste System