How race relations were in USA South around the 1850s; Treatment of Hindu Dalits around same time; Sai Baba: There is only one caste; the caste of humanity
Some extracts from the article about USA South view about race just before USA civil war (around 1850s), http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/06/what-this-cruel-war-was-over/396482/:
... in this free government all white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political rights; that the servitude of the African race, as existing in these States, is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified by the experience of mankind, and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations;
...
Free Society! we sicken at the name. What is it but a conglomeration of greasy mechanics, filthy operatives, small-fisted farmers, and moon-struck theorists? All the Northern men and especially the New England States are devoid of society fitted for well-bred gentlemen. The prevailing class one meet with is that of mechanics struggling to be genteel, and small farmers who do their own drudgery, and yet are hardly fit for association with a Southern gentleman's body servant.
--- end extracts ---
I decided against more extracts as I felt it may be too painful for readers!
Of course, Hindu upper caste treatment of the Dalits and so-called backward castes was perhaps as bad around the same time (1850s).
Thank God for Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba very clearly making and strongly supporting/disseminating statements like:
There is only one caste; the caste of humanity.
There is only one religion; the religion of love.
There is only one God, He is Omnipresent.
[Ref: http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/his_teachings/Unity_of_Faiths.htm]
... in this free government all white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political rights; that the servitude of the African race, as existing in these States, is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified by the experience of mankind, and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations;
...
Free Society! we sicken at the name. What is it but a conglomeration of greasy mechanics, filthy operatives, small-fisted farmers, and moon-struck theorists? All the Northern men and especially the New England States are devoid of society fitted for well-bred gentlemen. The prevailing class one meet with is that of mechanics struggling to be genteel, and small farmers who do their own drudgery, and yet are hardly fit for association with a Southern gentleman's body servant.
--- end extracts ---
I decided against more extracts as I felt it may be too painful for readers!
Of course, Hindu upper caste treatment of the Dalits and so-called backward castes was perhaps as bad around the same time (1850s).
Thank God for Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba very clearly making and strongly supporting/disseminating statements like:
There is only one caste; the caste of humanity.
There is only one religion; the religion of love.
There is only one God, He is Omnipresent.
[Ref: http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/his_teachings/Unity_of_Faiths.htm]
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