Fred, The short answer to your question is - Yes! There is no destructiveness in Caste. However, there IS destructiveness in Casteism (prejudice). And one is casteist towards members of their own caste / class (and also other caste/class) as we often see among Goans and on goanet. The virulent self-appointed Goan anti-casteists on Goanet are the leading examples of Goan casteism - inflating ones ego by demeaning other Goans. Every society - modern, medieval, ancient, Asian or European has had several social layers with different nomenclatures peculiar to that civilization / society. These are: Upper Class (including the power elite) ; Middle Class; Working Class; Lower Class; Under Class. Each of these 'classes' (called Caste in India or Guilds in Europe) maintain their status and their power through a formal or informal union (trade union or social association). These classes / unions have economic as well as social advantages and strengths, with each group having their own union or social or Club House (or temple or church or association). Here members come in to talk about issues of concern to them, to socialize and build bonds; and in today's world have political clout. There is pride in having a social and an individual identity, even among the "lower class". For an example in today's society, even the janitors or waiters have a union - the "Sanitation Workers Union" or the "Culinary Workers union" respectively. The lower the economic power of the group, the more powerful and entrenched the Union should be to protect its members. The members join the Union with pride. It is only the upper class, including the power elite, that would rather not see the lower-class and the under-class unified in a caste, class or a union. So when will goanet penalize those who exhibit Casteism on this chat site? Casteism - inflating one's ego by demeaning another Goan. Regards, GL ---------- Frederick [FN] Noronha
It is therefore understandable that the Cornel's have to fight hard to swim against the tide. In the meantime, every argument is used to bolster the view that casteism isn't that bad really. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
