James Siminoff

America’s Caste System

I watched Slumdog Millionaire a few weeks ago.  I used to do a lot of business in India and travel there fairly often, one of the culture things that always frustrated me in India was the caste system that exists which watching the movie reminded me of.  For those that do not know about the caste system, it is basically a classifier that you are born into that determines who you will be able to be.

I believe that the US also has a caste system.  It is just a lot different then the one in India.  Instead of being something that you are born into and no matter what you do you are pegged to that caste, it is one you choose for yourself.

The other day I was with a intelligent friend who said, “I am just an X”.  He would like to be more then a “X” but that is what he is now, what he tells everyone he is and based on how things are going that will not change anytime soon.  He has capped himself in his career because he tells everyone and believes that he is just an X.  I am an entrepreneur, not because I was born into it but because that is what I say I do and in the US nothing so far has been able to stop me from doing it.

The point is, if you want to be/do something, create the energy around you that allows that to happen.  Because when you do, people will look at you differently and the opportunity to become that thing is much more likely.

• Shooting ‘Slumdog’ in Mumbai, city of extremes
• Caste Portrayal in Children’s Books
• Playing with fire