“Caste is not a physical object like a wall of bricks or a line of barbed wire which prevents the Hindus from co-mingling and which has, therefore, to be pulled down. Caste is a notion; it is a state of the mind.”
What this quote means
Ambedkar points out that caste is a mental construct, not a physical barrier. This distinction is crucial: it means discrimination can be dismantled through a change of mindset, not just laws. The quote resonates in struggles against all forms of prejudice, reminding us that liberation begins in the mind.
How to apply it daily
Examine your own unconscious biases about a social group. Choose one action to counter them, such as educating yourself about their culture or engaging in conversation with someone from that group.
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