Of course, differences in natural abilities also play a role in theformation of social distinctions. But such diversities of aptitudes andcharacter are usually mediated through imagined hierarchies. Thishappens in two important ways. First and foremost, most abilitieshave to be nurtured and developed. Even if somebody is born witha particular talent, that talent will usually remain latent if it is notfostered, honed and exercised. Not all people get the same chanceto cultivate and refine their abilities. Whether or not they have suchan opportunity will usually depend on their place within their soci-ety‘s imagined hierarchy. Consider identical twins born in China in1700 and separated at birth. One brother is raised by a rich merchantfamily in Beijing, spending his days in school, in the market, or inupper-class social gatherings. The other twin is raised by poor, illit-erate peasants in a remote village, spending his days in the muddyrice paddies. Despite having exactly the same genes, when they turntwenty they are unlikely to have identical skills in doing business –or in planting rice. - P137
The vicious circle did not stop there. As anti-black stigmas grewstronger, they were translated into a system of Jim Crow‘ laws andnorms that were meant to safeguard the racial order in the South. - P142