Which of the kinds of discrimination shown in the novel have you encountered in your own life, and which surprised you or challenged your assumptions?

The novel highlights how various differences—in race, socioeconomic class, citizenship, neurodiversity, caste—can be used to divide people and discriminate against them. Which of these kinds of discrimination have you encountered in your own life experience? Did any of the differences depicted in the novel surprise you or challenge your assumptions?

As an older African American woman living in this country my entire life I don't think I need to describe what discrimination I have faced throughout my life. However, I have observed that other non-white ethnic groups have been disinterested in the impact of discrimination against Blacks until it happens to them. This book is a wonderful example of this! I feel especially this way about many Asian Americans which were "fine" until COVID came along and the president at that time instigated hate against them. I also feel this way about some well-off Jewish communities that have been indifferent about "brown" folks until the recent backlash with the unfortunate Israel/Gaza situation. Although, I don't condone hate/discrimination against any group, I find myself thinking, "Now you know how I have felt for too long".

As white women, we have been discriminated when men steal our ideas, strategies, and systemic systems as their own. However, diverse cultures are exposed to taunts, ridicule, and shouts to go back home. It's cruel and unacceptable behavior.

As a divorced woman in January of 1980 I all of a sudden had no credit! Of course everything had been in my husband’s name. Another examples of a woman being considered a second class citizen. But there I was raising two young boys on my own.

I have been an expat in many places and have often fallen into these very same
"us and them" holes. Why aren't "They" more like "Us." In many cases I was so wrong about the impressions I made, too patronizing and condescending-and, in turn, wrong about what I was seeing. It took me a long time to understand that "They" did not want to be "Me" or even like me. I hope I get it now.

Having grown up economically-challenged, others have taunted, shamed, and belittled me during my youth. Living in a small town or large city doesn't seem to matter when others want to feel better by putting someone else down. Discrimination takes any opportunity to boost oneself either with family, friends, or coworkers.

Kudos to margarets for her share! We need more people like her.
This book tells in a fictional way what Isabelle Wilkerson's book, Caste, is all about.

I appreciated Joyce's insight. Until all people are valued as equals we will have discrimination. it is a sad truth that we often ignore it until we are the ones feeling the slights.

At the same time that the author deals with discriminatory attitudes - against those who are perceived as the "threatening others" - Indians, someone with autism, etc., she also shows that these "others" are also not immune from discriminating - Vikram discriminating based on caste, Ashok's attitude toward those whom he considers lesser than himself etc.

And she also shows those who seem unaffected by fear of the other - Ashley and her mom, the architect.

When Maya steals the expensive necklace, she is not regarded as a threat by the store owner due to her race/origin - she is not suspected at all.

So it seems the author is saying that while fear of the other is certainly real, it is not limited to one race nor is it universal.

Well said Lyris!

I work with a highly educated guy from the former Yugoslavia. He was a professional engineer before moving to the US at the beginning of the Balkan War. Now that he's here, he's an engineering tech instead of a full engineer. From what he's told me, he'd have to do another 4-year college degree to get the same level of job here that he had in what's now Serbia. He's got a thick accent so I don't see a ton of people having conversations with him (outside of the standard work-related stuff). He's honestly one of the nicest people I work with & he thinks it's hilarious when I swear in a Slavic language (I've been there but not to Serbia specifically, but the swear words are pretty much the same). It makes me sad that people kind of ignore him. He's got great stories & he's very nice.

I appreciate your insight, Joyce. I think it is very true that we don't have a clue what others have gone through until it affects us personally. And even then we can never truly understand because there is no way to walk in another's shoes. I think it is important to read about the experiences of as many different people groups as possible. The more we learn the less likely we are to repeat history. (Hopefully)

@rebeccak We have known situations like this too. A talented physician from the Philippines was working as a phlebotomist while waiting to get into med school when my daughter was small. He was the best phlebotomist she ever had. A Chinese friend of ours was Educated in China as a Landscape Architect and just last year completed a 5 year program in Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University so that she can work in the U.S.

I agree with Lyris. Life is filled with nuance. Always.