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casteism

American  
[kast-iz-uhm] / ˈkæstˌɪz əm /

noun

  1. discrimination or hereditary social distinction based on caste, especially discrimination against those of lower caste.

  2. any rigid hereditary system of social stratification similar to the system of castes found in India.


Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

Popular culture from Tamil Nadu, the southern state where “Annapoorani” was made, has routinely taken aim at casteism for nearly a hundred years.

From New York Times Jan. 12, 2024

During the summer of anti–police brutality protests spurred by George Floyd’s murder, Americans newly introduced to sociopolitical concepts like systemic racism and mutual aid likewise got their first glimpses of casteism.

From Slate Sep. 21, 2023

U.S. discrimination laws ban ancestry discrimination but do not explicitly ban casteism.

From Reuters Mar. 22, 2023

He came to the United States in 2015 seeking a better life, but was surprised when he saw just how ingrained casteism was in South Asian-American communities as well.

From Salon Mar. 5, 2023

“Like racism, casteism is a system of oppression; it is a very real — and growing — problem in our country and our local communities, but one that is not understood by most Americans.”

From Seattle Times Feb. 21, 2023

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