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John Krakoski
Subject: Re: Your talk - "Caste System" - misconceptions and reality
From: John Krakoski
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2005 18:30:55 -0600
BrownMan, I want to thank you again for pointing this out. I took some time to read some of the references you provided. Now that I know what the Caste system represents it appears that the Caste system is what we should be striving for in our organization. Everyone has a place and a function working in harmony towards a common goal.
Beyond the material difference and the large numbers of people, the thing I found most striking in my trip to India was the peace, order(except for the driving that was quite hectic) and contentment I found in all of the people. It appeared to be a universal feeling everywhere I went. I look forward to learning more about your culture and would enjoy meeting sometime to discuss further !!
John J. Krakoski, PMP
IBM Global Services
Sr. Project Executive - Sprint
Network, Corp. & BI Systems
Sprint Office Phone: 913.315.8116
Mobile/PCS: 972.467.9764
Internet: krakoski@us.ibm.com
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02/17/2005 05:59 PM
To: John Krakoski/Dallas/IBM@IBMUS
cc: Donald Wooten/Kansas City/IBM@IBMUS
Subject: Your talk - "Caste System" - misconceptions and reality
To: krakoski@us.ibm.com
Cc: wootend@us.ibm.com
Dear Mr. John Krakoski,
"Namaste!"
We were very pleased to see you in person yesterday (Feb 16) and listen to your perspective on what's ahead for IBM with respect to Sprint account. It was indeed a motivational talk and we are all energized by the same.
We are writing this letter to address one of our concerns and in effect to actually strengthen one of the values that IBM cherishes - Diversity and respect for it. Somewhere during your otherwise perfect talk you interspersed a remark that is usually and unfairly attributed to one of the most tolerant and pluaralistic faiths, the Hindusim, the majority faith in India; You said "There is no caste system here!" while speaking on the need for cooperation and respect among IBMers irrespective of geographical location and ethnic diversity, that we are all IBMers first and foremost. The idea is well taken, but the language not so.
We do not know whether it was bias or plain ignorance. Either way, we would like to say few words on this. "Cows, Caste and Curry" is a common negative stereotype that affected India for long time which was perpetuated in the west. We don't want to get to sources for this bias as that would be a complex topic in itself but it is enough to say that any usage of this "caste system" without proper understanding smacks of negative connotations, helps in pepetuating negative stereotypes and prejudices to a particular culture and ethnicity. From your talk, since you returned from India, others would relate it to Indian context and hence derogatory and damaging.
Why? Please read - why Caste system is not what you think it is - http://www.hinduwisdom.info/Caste_System.htm
By the way something similar to "caste system" prevails everywhere including the USA if you look at it objectively. It's discrimination based on some factor. Please read - Is There an American Caste System?
This letter earnestly hopes to correct your view about something that we feel has been grossly misunderstood by you. We believe that if it was not bias then you were totally innocent in your remarks. As such it's imperative for us as IBMers and as global citizens to make each others understand the differences between myth and reality among topics between cultures, socieities etc., As your talk implied, fostering harmony between diverse cultures in our workplaces is of paramount importance as we operate in a global village and to make IBM succeed. In the spirit of such mutual hope and desire comes this letter.
Thank you for your understanding.
sincerely,
IBM employees of Indian origin in Sprint Campus
Overland Park
Kansas
