the obvious counterpoint, though, is that if “wanting to marry someone who looks like you” is slickly equated to “hating those who don’t look like you”, then almost everyone in the world is racist. This is a curious and ideological way to look at things, one which is essentially religious (given its overtones of original sin = racism, high priests = tolerance.org, etc.).

Sikhism, like Islam, tacitly absorbed some caste consciousness from Hinduism. E.g. jats vs. non-jats.

How would someone know if you were Dalit just by looking at you?

Probably from Paul’s last name, I’m guessing.

“spirited 50-year-old Punjabi Sikh (the Sikh faith absorbed some caste distinctions) who came to New York City in 1985 and worked as a dishwasher at Tad’s Steaks. Now he and his wife spend seven days a week running the Chirping Chicken outlet he owns in Astoria. He could cite no instance of outright discrimination, but said looks and gestures sometimes betray upper-caste condescension. “Our friends who came here from India from the upper classes, they’re supposed to leave this kind of thing behind, but unfortunately they brought it with them,” he said. Yet in a paradoxical demonstration of the stubborn resilience of caste, Mr. Paul is active with a local Dalit group and said he would prefer that his son marry a Dalit. “We want to stay in our community,” he said.

1.) There are untouchables in Sikhism?

2.) How would someone know if you were Dalit just by looking at you?

Yeah, REALLY rebellious for a Brahmin. Almost as rebellious as a Jewish kid in America going to work for Goldman Sachs!

btw, it would have been really nice if the times had some stats on the caste distro in the US. Methinks the majority are upper castes, esp. among the professionals (just as they are in India), but it’d be nice to see stats.