as a complete outsider to the caste system, say i was american-born or otherwise "white-washed". would I still be subject to this system?
Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system
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Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system
#32It took hundreds of years for the tribal system to become fully abolished in North-Western Europe and I suspect it will take a similar amount of time before the caste system is eradicated.
Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system
#33To Indian commenters on HN, how much of that is true? Do you feel threatened when a coworker asks about where you are from? It's something I do ask from time to time (not during interviews obviously, but during lunch for example) out of pure curiosity. Should I stop? I guess that I should explicitly add that I am not from India. Cross-cultural communications can be a bit difficult at times and I'd rather not make blu…
Its possible some of it is true, I know well educated brahmin acquaintances who have outright said they are superior. I look like a brahmin person and they tend to let their guard down around me, But no one has ever asked me about my caste (Maybe because they assume my caste based on how I look). At the same time there are lots frivolous lawsuits from the groups mentioned in this article so its hard to say.
Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system
#34The reason for my current user name here at hn was this exact form of racism. It is the first post I made when I created this throwaway. I was assured that my experience was unique and not widespread. I am both sad and happy to see this, sad because it exists, happy because it is getting some attention here at HN. I would like to take this opportunity to point out that everyone of us needs to be vigilant about this t…
I'm sorry, but can you please elaborate a bit more on Greeks and Turks?
I happen to be Greek and have worked with 2 Turkish colleagues without any issues. On top of that, during my many travels across Europe, Turks (along with other Balkan nationalities) are by far the most welcoming people I meet once they learn that I come from Greece and I befriended a few of them.
Do you have any different experiences to share?
Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system
#35The reason for my current user name here at hn was this exact form of racism. It is the first post I made when I created this throwaway. I was assured that my experience was unique and not widespread. I am both sad and happy to see this, sad because it exists, happy because it is getting some attention here at HN. I would like to take this opportunity to point out that everyone of us needs to be vigilant about this t…
I'm sorry, but can you please elaborate a bit more on Greeks and Turks? I happen to be Greek and have worked with 2 Turkish colleagues without any issues. On top of that, during my many travels across Europe, Turks (along with other Balkan nationalities) are by far the most welcoming people I meet once they learn that I come from Greece and I befriended a few of them. Do you have any different experiences to share?
I’m under the impression some people are still upset over Cyprus.
Edit: corrected cypress misspelling. Thanks repliers!
Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system
#36No post body was provided.
Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system
#37Quoted post unavailable.
Having different standards for different races (especially your own race) is racist.
Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system
#38The reason for my current user name here at hn was this exact form of racism. It is the first post I made when I created this throwaway. I was assured that my experience was unique and not widespread. I am both sad and happy to see this, sad because it exists, happy because it is getting some attention here at HN. I would like to take this opportunity to point out that everyone of us needs to be vigilant about this t…
> Chinese and Japanese
When I interviewed last time; the only company i did not make through phone screen was by a Japanese interviewer. I gave a three viable solutions to an easy question. Had no idea why I failed but probably because of racism
Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system
#39Quoted post unavailable.
Nobody in America has ever been racist to me, therefore racism doesn't exist.
Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system
#40Earlier quoted context omitted.
It would never even occur to me to ask someone what caste they were from, not just in Silicon Valley where I happen to live, but anywhere in the U.S. Seriously, who does that?
It actually does occur to me, mostly because I'm curious if all of my coworkers are of Brahmin caste. It doesn't matter to me personally, but obviously it would be of interest if all of the people in the Managerial or Lead roles are from a certain caste, while all of the lower-level Devs are in another.
I worked at a big tech company where you could, with rare exceptions, reliably estimate a South Asian employee’s place in the org chart from skin tone. I don’t know how well that correlates to caste, but I imagine it does to at least some degree.