The Concept Of How Race Came To Be

Clara Guerrier
BLST 101

        The notion of race has been present in America for centuries now. The idea that a person of darker skin complexion or a black person was seen as sin and filth as opposed to a person of a lighter complexion or white person which was considered good and pure.  The two distinct words black and white were brought about by the Europeans during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. They constructed this representation of race not only on the color of skin, but also on cultural language, religion and beliefs. These factors that contributed to the distinction of race were not only used in the United States but also in Africa and the Caribbean.

       Throughout the course, we have come to a few conclusions that the concept of "race" was in fact a classification for Europeans or whites to create distinct social groups as inferior and superior. The idea that blacks were inferior to whites and whites were superior to blacks. Thomas Jefferson was one of the first presidents to adopt the idea of race http://www.understandingrace.org/history/history_trans.html . Many historians such as Ashley Montagu argues "that race was institutionalized beginning in the 18th century as a worldview, a set of culturally created attitudes and beliefs about human group differences". (pg.3) The notion of race was constructed during that time period when slavery was at it's peak.

      Another historian George Fredrickson states explicitly that "before 1830 open assertions of permanent black inferiority were exceedingly rare". (pg.5) The term "black" wasn't that common till after slavery was at its prime. I wouldn't agree completely because the term was still common,  just not in the northern states only the southern states were familiar with it. Race was still common prior to that  because it distinguished what group people of both African and European descent would be placed in. For instance, if a person of mixed race had a darker complexion they were automatically considered black. But if a person of mixed race had a lighter complexion they were still considered black but just had a bit more privilege. The placement of children of mixed race can be found here http://spartacus-educational.com/USAmulatto.htm.

      The idea of race is still present in modern day America, especially in the justice system. Many see blacks as bad if they have done something wrong, while others may see whites as good or mentally disturbed if they have done something wrong. The fact that race is still in existence is sad, because people are constantly going to be judged on their skin color and cultural upbringings to determine if they are good or bad. Whereas in other countries people can only be judged on their actions and not their race.

        The whole concept of race not only has made America segregated back then, but some aspects of that idea still remain in modern day America. Race is a concept that differentiates people based on their skin color. Back then during colonial times the circumstances of race was far more different then today that's for sure but some of the ideas of how race came about could still be present.

Academic Sources:


Fredrickson, G. M. 1987. The Black Image in the White Mind. Middletown: Wesleyan University Press.

Montagu, A. 1993 (1999). Race in North America: Origin and Evolution of a Worldview. Boulder: Westview Press.

     


I feel like this image really portrays how race may come about as it being over but it is still very much present in society.

Image: http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/d18a4554-4ea9-469a-a242-65ea2ceb1dd0.html