On Invisibility

So I thought, the best and most telling example of invisibility is the narrator's perception as an older man, as described in the prologue:

"That invisibility to which I refer occurs because of a peculiar disposition of the eyes of those with whom I come in contact. A matter of construction of their inner eyes, those eyes with which they look through their physical eyes upon reality (3)."

Based on this quote and on the many experiences of the author, including the battle royal, work at the paint factory, treatment at the hospital, etc., I feel this invisibility is only result of his bottom of the social hierarchy. I don't see how one could be invisible if the inner eyes of others, impacted by their prejudices, are not ready to ignore them and dispose application of treatment of the other person as a respectable human being. It is not generally applicable - you can't be invisible just if you want to. If you are a Caucasian and living within white suburbs, I don't see how you could be invisible, unless your family income is significantly lower than that of your neighbors, or your cultural/ethnic background considered inferior by the rest of the suburban population. Otherwise, when people'd notice you, pass you, bump you on the street, I'd say you'd be properly acknowledged and, most of time, with certain degree of respect.

Through this same as narrator's, or even worse, invisibility suffer the peoples of the lowest Indian Untouchable caste, who are treated as vermin of the streets and required to make way for all the castes of higher ranks. This is an example of social hierarchy, just as in the author's case, where inner eyes and prejudices of the viewer cast invisibility and inexistence upon who is viewed. In the past, Indian Untouchables even had to attach brooms to their backs to clean up after themselves and erase any evidence of their passing.