START LEARNING

Overview

WHAT IS CASTE?

Overview

WHAT IS CASTE?

Before we jump into our "ORIGIN" lessons and activities, let’s talk about what caste is and isn’t. Is it the same as racism? Is it a ranking order? Does it only take place in India and does it still exist?

close

Lesson One

WHO BELONGS?

Lesson One

WHO BELONGS?

Income, religion and race have factored into who gets access to education, healthcare and safe spaces to work and play for many generations. In lesson two, learn how racial categories on the U.S. Census have changed over time. And view a timeline of citizens suing to be called ‘white.’

START LEARNING close LEARN WITH Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Ava DuVernay, “ORIGIN” chronicles the loves and losses of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson as she investigates a global phenomenon of epic proportions.

Lesson Two

CASTE AROUND THE WORLD

Lesson Two

CASTE AROUND THE WORLD

Travel around the world in this lesson using our interactive map and hear stories about life in other countries. Then, use that information to decide if caste systems have the power to shape cultures and communities.

close LEARN WITH Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee
Ava DuVernay, “ORIGIN” chronicles the loves and losses of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson as she investigates a global phenomenon of epic proportions.
“When you live in an old house, you may not want to go into the basement after a storm to see what the rains have wrought. Choose not to look, however, at your own peril.” – Isabel Wilkerson, played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in “ORIGIN” “When you live in an old house, you may not want to go into the basement after a storm to see what the rains have wrought. Choose not to look, however, at your own peril.” – Isabel Wilkerson, played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in “ORIGIN”

Lesson Four

TAKE ACTION AND GET
INTO GOOD TROUBLE

Lesson Four

TAKE ACTION AND GET
INTO GOOD TROUBLE

We are like homeowners who have inherited a house on a piece of land that’s beautiful on the outside, but the soil is unstable. When we discover an issue with our old house, do we ignore it or do we address it? This final lesson addresses current day issues that support caste systems and provides ways to take action and get into good trouble.

Lesson Three

WHAT BELONGS?

Lesson Three

WHAT BELONGS?

Did you know that “The Diary of Anne Frank” is a banned book? Is there a connection between book burning and book banning? Who decides what we watch, read, listen to or celebrate? Is the history of one group of people more important than another? Unpack it all in lesson three.

close close

Resources

ORIGIN READING LIST

Resources

ORIGIN READING LIST

"ORIGIN" shines a light on the research necessary to craft a book such as “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.” We’ve pulled all of the books seen in the film, plus others, to create the ultimate reading list after watching the movie.

close

Resources

ORIGIN BEHIND THE SCENES

Resources

ORIGIN BEHIND THE SCENES

Filmed in 37 days across three continents, ORIGIN is an independent film inspired by the book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson and written and directed by Ava DuVernay. Watch how the film was made, read the script and take Ava’s MasterClass!

close

Resources

ORIGIN PLAYLIST

Resources

ORIGIN PLAYLIST

Sound plays a crucial role in how audiences experience films. Listen to the music of ORIGIN crafted by Academy Award-nominated composer, Kris Bowers. Enjoy this playlist in the classroom or in the car.

close

TELL YOUR STORY

TELL YOUR STORY

After experiencing the film ORIGIN, viewers are full of emotion, questions, curiosity and the desire to take action. A great first step is to share our stories. We invite you to tell a story about caste supported by the ORIGIN Learning Companion and the Story Xperiential platform.

close
Lesson Two Lesson One Lesson Three What Is Caste?

Hover over the buttons, on top of the house,
to dive into our lessons.

Click the buttons over the house to dive into our lessons.

Overview

WHAT IS CASTE?

Overview

WHAT IS CASTE?

Before we jump into our "ORIGIN" lessons and activities, let’s talk about what caste is and isn’t. Is it the same as racism? Is it a ranking order? Does it only take place in India and does it still exist?

close

Lesson One

WHO BELONGS?

Lesson One

WHO BELONGS?

Income, religion and race have factored into who gets access to education, healthcare and safe spaces to work and play for many generations. In lesson two, learn how racial categories on the U.S. Census have changed over time. And view a timeline of citizens suing to be called ‘white.’

START LEARNING close LEARN WITH Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Ava DuVernay, “ORIGIN” chronicles the loves and losses of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson as she investigates a global phenomenon of epic proportions.

Lesson Two

CASTE AROUND THE WORLD

Lesson Two

CASTE AROUND THE WORLD

Travel around the world in this lesson using our interactive map and hear stories about life in other countries. Then, use that information to decide if caste systems have the power to shape cultures and communities.

close “When you live in an old house, you may not want to go into the basement after a storm to see what the rains have wrought. Choose not to look, however, at your own peril.” – Isabel Wilkerson, played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in “ORIGIN”

Lesson Four

TAKE ACTION AND GET
INTO GOOD TROUBLE

Lesson Four

TAKE ACTION AND GET
INTO GOOD TROUBLE

We are like homeowners who have inherited a house on a piece of land that’s beautiful on the outside, but the soil is unstable. When we discover an issue with our old house, do we ignore it or do we address it? This final lesson addresses current day issues that support caste systems and provides ways to take action and get into good trouble.

Lesson Three

WHAT BELONGS?

Lesson Three

WHAT BELONGS?

Did you know that “The Diary of Anne Frank” is a banned book? Is there a connection between book burning and book banning? Who decides what we watch, read, listen to or celebrate? Is the history of one group of people more important than another? Unpack it all in lesson three.

close close

Resources

ORIGIN READING LIST

Resources

ORIGIN READING LIST

"ORIGIN" shines a light on the research necessary to craft a book such as “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.” We’ve pulled all of the books seen in the film, plus others, to create the ultimate reading list after watching the movie.

close

Resources

ORIGIN BEHIND THE SCENES

Resources

ORIGIN BEHIND THE SCENES

Filmed in 37 days across three continents, ORIGIN is an independent film inspired by the book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson and written and directed by Ava DuVernay. Watch how the film was made, read the script and take Ava’s MasterClass!

close

Resources

ORIGIN PLAYLIST

Resources

ORIGIN PLAYLIST

Sound plays a crucial role in how audiences experience films. Listen to the music of ORIGIN crafted by Academy Award-nominated composer, Kris Bowers. Enjoy this playlist in the classroom or in the car.

close

TELL YOUR STORY

TELL YOUR STORY

After experiencing the film ORIGIN, viewers are full of emotion, questions, curiosity and the desire to take action. A great first step is to share our stories. We invite you to tell a story about caste supported by the ORIGIN Learning Companion and the Story Xperiential platform.

close
Lesson Two Lesson One Lesson Three What Is Caste?

Hover over the buttons, on top of the house,
to dive into our lessons.

Click the buttons over the house to dive into our lessons.

ORIGIN 101