I work in an affluent mall in Johannesburg, where I constantly encounter people upholding class judgments. Interestingly, there is also much discontent. This environment has led me to question how these class systems perpetuate dissatisfaction, often manifested in incessant complaining and nitpicking. I was spurred on by recently watching the 2023 biographical drama Origins, directed by Ava DuVernay. It chronicles Isabel Wilkerson’s exploration of caste systems across Germany, India, and the United States, inspiring critical reflection on the relationship between hierarchical systems and human behaviour.¹ These structures profoundly influence identity, interpersonal dynamics, and professional interactions globally, prompting me to delve deeper into how they manifest.
Caste and Class in Context
In India, the caste system remains a deeply entrenched social hierarchy that continues to shape individual psychology and workplace dynamics.² G. S. Ghurye identifies key characteristics of the caste system, including hereditary occupations and rigid social segregation, which perpetuate internalised stratification and discontent.³ Despite constitutional safeguards, Ashwini Deshpande highlights the persistence of caste-based discrimination, often manifesting subtly yet pervasively in professional environments.⁴
The psychological impact of caste is particularly significant. Marginalised individuals often internalise systemic devaluation, undermining self-worth and fostering defensive behaviours.⁵ The Economic Times describes how caste-affected individuals in workplaces are frequently perceived as “too emotional” or “argumentative” stating, “Indians, as Nobel laureate Amartya Sen tells us, are argumentative by nature.”⁶ These behaviours, though criticised, are often defensive mechanisms developed in response to deeply ingrained societal prejudice.⁷
Globally, class-based hierarchies exert similar psychological pressures. Classism, defined as discrimination based on social class, adversely affects mental health and interpersonal relationships.⁸ William Ming Liu observes that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often internalise stereotypes portraying them as less competent, leading to diminished self-esteem and heightened defensiveness.⁹ This dynamic mirrors caste-related behaviours in India.
In the United States, for example, research shows that individuals from working-class backgrounds frequently develop an interdependent self-concept, valuing community and collaboration over individualism.¹⁰ This can clash with the independence valued in many professional environments, leading to misinterpretations of behaviour as overly emotional or argumentative.¹¹ Moreover, systemic classism—through both interpersonal discrimination and institutional inequalities—further exacerbates these challenges.¹²
Christianity’s Response to Hierarchies
Christianity offers transformative solutions to the societal and psychological effects of caste and class systems by affirming the equality and inherent worth of every individual.¹³ The Bible teaches that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28), a statement that directly challenges hierarchical divisions.¹⁴ Genesis 1:27 emphasises the creation of all people in God’s image, asserting the intrinsic value of every individual, regardless of social or economic status.¹⁵
This theological foundation promotes an ethic of humility, service, and mutual respect. Paul’s exhortation to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3) encourages collaborative and inclusive behaviours.¹⁶ Grace, a central Christian tenet, provides a means of addressing the emotional burdens associated with caste and class. Ephesians 2:8-9 highlights the unmerited nature of God’s love, fostering self-acceptance and resilience.¹⁷ Theologian Miroslav Volf notes that “God’s love for the unworthy liberates us from the compulsion to justify ourselves before others,” empowering individuals to transcend societal labels and engage authentically.¹⁸
Christian communities have historically played a critical role in challenging hierarchies and promoting justice. Figures like William Wilberforce and Mother Teresa exemplify how Christian principles can drive systemic change.¹⁹ Today, churches and faith-based organisations continue to advocate for equitable practices and provide practical support for those navigating the challenges of caste and class.²⁰
Conclusion
Caste and class systems perpetuate significant psychological and social challenges, often manifesting in workplace behaviour. However, Christianity provides a counter-narrative rooted in equality, grace, and humility. By embracing these transformative principles, individuals and organisations can foster environments of mutual respect, collaboration, and dignity, addressing the root causes of division and discontent.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for creating each of us in Your image, with equal worth and dignity. Teach us to see one another through Your eyes, transcending barriers of caste, class, and division. Help us to extend grace, humility, and love in our workplaces and communities. May Your transformative power lead us to foster inclusion and respect, bringing justice and mercy into all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
References
1. Isabel Wilkerson, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents (New York: Random House, 2020).
2. G. S. Ghurye, Caste and Race in India (Mumbai: Popular Prakashan, 1969).
3. Ibid.
4. Ashwini Deshpande, The Grammar of Caste: Economic Discrimination in Contemporary India (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2011).
5. Sukhadeo Thorat and Paul Attewell, “The Legacy of Social Exclusion: A Correspondence Study of Job Discrimination in India,” Economic and Political Weekly 42, no. 41 (2007): 4141–45.
6. “Argumentative, Too Emotional: Are Indians Tough to Work With?,” Economic Times, December 25, 2014, https://m.economictimes.com/argumentative-too-emotional-are-indians-tough-to-work-with/articleshow/45638709.cms
7. Ibid.
8. William Ming Liu, Social Class and Classism in the Helping Professions: Research, Theory, and Practice (Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2011).
9. Ibid.
10. Valerie Walkerdine, “Class in the Psychology Curriculum: Classism, Identity, and Social Class,” Psychology Teaching Review 25, no. 1 (2019): 4–12.
11. Michael W. Kraus and Dacher Keltner, “Social Class Rank, Essentialism, and Punitive Judgment,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 105, no. 2 (2013): 247–61.
12. Miroslav Volf, Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1996).
13. Genesis 1:27; Galatians 3:28; Philippians 2:3; Ephesians 2:8-9.
14. William Wilberforce, A Practical View of Christianity (London: T. Cadell, 1797).
15. Mother Teresa, No Greater Love (New York: New World Library, 1997).
16. Surinder S. Jodhka, “Caste in Contemporary India: The Discourse and the Empirical Reality,” Frontline, 2015.
17. Amartya Sen, The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity (London: Penguin Books, 2005).
18. Ibid.
19. David Mosse, Caste and Development: Contemporary Perspectives on a Structure of Discrimination and Advantage (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2018).
20. Manoranjan Pal, “Caste as a Socio-Psychological Construct: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives,” CASTE: A Global Journal on Social Exclusion 4, no. 2 (2023): 335–52.
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