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Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system

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Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system

#541

Post by jsnodlin »

unmole wrote: post #307
zxienin wrote: post #67

I am from “upper caste”. My experience might not be commonly heard perspective. In 10th grade of schooling, my parents changed my lastname to avoid that folks figure out the caste. Due to affirmative action (aka reservation) on steroids, upper caste were losing opportunities. My parents wanted to avoid that I lose out on selection, promotions.., where subjective discretion was involved. I do not recall ever seeing ca…

> I am from “upper caste”. My experience might not be commonly heard perspective. In 10th grade of schooling, my parents changed my lastname to avoid that folks figure out the caste. Due to affirmative action (aka reservation) on steroids, upper caste were losing opportunities. My parents wanted to avoid that I lose out on selection, promotions.., where subjective discretion was involved. I'm sorry but this makes no…

No post body was provided.

Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system

#542

Post by flat-pluto »

intrasight wrote: post #539
flat-pluto wrote: post #326

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a false equivalence though. Ideally it would be a non-thing. It has been a part of Indian society for a very long time, going back millennia, but it was codified in its modern form by the British. For instance: "Nicholas Dirks has argued that Indian caste as we know it today is a modern phenomenon as caste was fundamentally transformed by British colonial rule. According to Dirks, before colonial rule caste a…

This is all in the context of the USA. My question is why would you be asked or, if asked, tell your caste?

Nobody would come out and ask your caste directly. Most often what tends to happen is they infer your caste based on your surname, or ask you innocent-seeming questions such as: where is your family from, what does your father do, are you vegetarian by birth, etc.

The most roundabout way to determine one's caste that I have come across is inviting someone to swim. Brahmins, the upper-caste Hindus, traditionally wear a thread[1] which is on display when you swim. The ones who don't wear a thread are assumed to be non-Brahmin.

Anyway, once the caste is known subtle discrimination may follow (depending on the people of course).

[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upanayana

Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system

#543

Post by thumbsup-_- »

nindalf wrote: post #409
pm90 wrote: post #398

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have also never heard of this sort of patting shoulder behavior but I think we have to accept it as a truth if it’s something being reported by many people. Caste and class divisions run very deep in South Asian culture. I’m disappointed that even in tech where workers are generally highly educated this is something that continues to exist (please: I’m not talking about the necessity of a college education to be a…

Why the alleged patting behaviour seems unlikely - even if it worked, it would only tell you if the person is a member of the relatively few castes that wear that.

The point isn’t that it works or not but that is our society so down that we fall for such tactics? And also, that is it really a thing done by people or is it just made up?

Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system

#544

Post by bin_bash »

giantg2 wrote: post #513
bin_bash wrote: post #311

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s unclear if that’s annual compensation or how much of it vests over 4 years.

True. Either way, that's still a huge change, and more than most people earn over 8 years.

Although if he lives in a $2 million home that's probably annual

Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system

#545

Post by jimmydddd »

auggierose wrote: post #413
jimmydddd wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ottomans (Turks) occupied Greece for 400 years, ending in 1821. Turkey constantly trying to take over Greek islands, etc. Turkey dropping off immigrants on rafts just outside Greek shores. But it doesn't seem to translate to the US much, especially in second generation.

Greeks dropping off immigrants in front of Turkish shores, killing some of them, also seems to happen: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/feb/17/i...

It is a sad situation. I think this article says the Turks dropped the immigrants at the Greek shore, and the Greeks tried to send them back. The Greeks either have to accept/absorb all of the immigrants strategically sent from the Turks, or face consquences when they try to send them back and tragedy strikes. It's a strong strategy by the Turks. Of course the immigrants are sadly just pawns in this situation.

Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system

#546

Post by jimmydddd »

tomp wrote: post #445
jimmydddd wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ottomans (Turks) occupied Greece for 400 years, ending in 1821. Turkey constantly trying to take over Greek islands, etc. Turkey dropping off immigrants on rafts just outside Greek shores. But it doesn't seem to translate to the US much, especially in second generation.

That's quite far ago? If that's your criteria, who can interview Germans without bias?

It is far ago, but being occupied for 400 years and not being able to openly practice your religion leaves a lasting memory.

Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system

#547

Post by aaxe »

tomp wrote: post #443
winternett wrote: post #325

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the primary things these stories never truly elaborate properly on in the quest to establish social rank out of a caste-based society is that Black Americans, that were native to the US, and even for black migrants to India and other countries, are some of the most affected by caste politics of this kind in employment and work opportunity. Often having darker skin, Black Americans are even prone to more discri…

> Often having darker skin, Black Americans are even prone to more discrimination domestically. Any editorial that doesn't recognize that fact as a truth has no legs to stand on in my opinion. Nigerian immigrants outperform most domestic US groups. So clearly "skin color" isn't the main factor (if at all).

Because you're getting the elite of the elite.

I don't understand how this is still such a difficult concept for people.

Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system

#548

Post by jimmydddd »

goto11 wrote: post #78
aletzo wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

There still seem to be some deep-seated resentments from some Greeks towards Turks due to the Greek genocide and exodus a hundred years ago. Turks on the other hand have never heard about that (it's illegal to teach in Turkey), so they are pretty chill. There is some bitterness due to the more recent (and still unresolved) conflict regarding Cyprus.

Similar in some (minor) ways to the North and South in the US civil war. Folks in the North (winning side) learn about it in school for a few weeks and it's like studying ancient history. But in parts of the South, it feels like it just happened yesterday.

Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system

#549

Post by aaxe »

mama123 wrote: post #463
dash2 wrote: post #455

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That’s all very well but it’s pretty obvious that Dalits get a raw deal in India, and if you don’t think so, then you may just be kidding yourself. Equally, if you think of Muslims as “privileged” under the current BJP government, you need a reality check.

Many Poor muslims just as many poor Indian are now getting electricity, subsidised toilets, zero balance bank accounts, direct benefits transfer for the first time under BJP rule. Many muslim women are for the first time are freed from triple talaq. Their life is certainly far better than the muslims in Pakistan, so much so that many parts of Pakistan are revolting and claiming to want to reunite with India. Whatever…

Jesus christ, it's 2022 and you're legitimately arguing that BJP is helpful towards Muslims.

Re: Trapped in Silicon Valley’s hidden caste system

#550

Post by aaxe »

sanmon3186 wrote: post #435
ignoramous wrote: post #421

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> ...in my experience* the issue is overblown in the knowledge industry.* Let me hazard a guess: You're "not lower-caste" (and that's how you can then dismiss your own assertion).

I understand where you are coming from. I am not lower-class and may have my biases, but unlike Siddhant in the story, I got my first bicycle (a second hand) at the age of 23 to commute within college campus while doing my masters. So I have definitely not lived in some urban bubble, away from the grassroot issues in the country. I am not denying the discrimination in the industry. It is the magnitude that I have my…

This is equivalent to a really poor white person saying "nah man, them blacks don't have it any harder."
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