I never thought of it in terms of separating people. Nor have I ever thought of women/third world people/people of color as people strongly associated with the body versus the soul. Maybe that is because I don't generally associate the mind with the soul. Intelligence does not have a bearing on the soul I guess?
In that case, I have a hard time seeing it as destructive.

I do not believe that our souls have a physical vehicle after we die. And after we die we continue to travel "through the worlds of God" as I understand. Our souls continue to progress without our bodies, and eventually can become a part of God. I find the concept that eventually all souls can become a part of God as a beautiful explanation of the oneness of the universe. In that case, this important journey having been done bodiless makes me, personally, see the body as I guess *somewhat* trivial.