Yesterday, at a BBQ in a park with some people I've never met before, a guy was talking about his holiday in India. During the story he expressed his admiration for the acceptance of people in lower castes in regards to their social status.
I almost lost it completely, to me the acceptance of their inequality is a major reason why this inequality still exists. In large parts of the world the situation of the lower classes did not improve until they became vocal and demanded equal rights. A person that is told from early on that he is to blame for the situation that he is in and in fact should not complain because that would anger the gods, is in a serious disadvantage. As long as he is shackled by this religion, he will be shackled in poverty.
To have admiration for a slave that accepts his enslavement is an odd thing. I have much more respect for a slave that shouts to be heard and fights to improve his situation.
The old saying that power only yields to power is unfortunately true, let's hope that the people in India of the lower caste systems will one day find the power to be completely free. I do know that the Indian constitution has outlawed discrimination based upon caste, in reality however, (especially in rural communities) it is quite common.
The admiration that the guy uttered really pissed me off, and I retorted in an angry manner, too bad, if I could have held my composure I might have explained my point of view better.
Am I the only one so frustrated by this misplaced admiration?
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