The Invention of Modern Racism: A Historical Overview - Prof. Clifford Broman, Study notes of Introduction to Sociology

Download The Invention of Modern Racism: A Historical Overview - Prof. Clifford Broman and more Study notes Introduction to Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! Soc 215 January 23, 2012 Professor Broman Cattle continued… 5. Therefore, while shakesphere clearly saw Othello as different and dangerous to some extent, the prime targets in the middle ages were Jews. The rise of Modern Racism A. The modern concept of races as basic human types of differing biological characteristics was invented in the 18th century. 1. Even though Columbus saw the Native’s of America as different, the basis of the difference was religious & lifestyle a. As Europeans roamed and encountered other peoples in the 16th & 17th centuries, they quite naturally came upon people they considered heathen-people with no knowledge of Christianity or Jesus. Modern Racism  In addition, since the people also lacked knowledge of European ways, the people were considered savage and inferior. 2. The notion that there was a single pan-European or “white” race was slow to develop and was not fully crystallized in the world until the late 19th century. 3. Early ethnologist such as Carl Linneaus, began the drive to differentiate humans, he argued… a. The father of modern racism i. “Europeans are acute, incentive… governed by laws “blacks” were described as “crafty, indolent, religent… governed by caprice” (eze, race & enlightenment) 4. By the late 18th century, several writers had sharply ventured into the realm of racism (known here after as “scientific racism”)  “Scientific” Racism- the use of scientific methods always designed to “prove” that Europeans were inherently superior to all other people in the world.  Focus was on biology, physiology, ethnology  Example:  Several studies of cranium size. Such studies were designed to show that the cranium of Europeans & whites were larger because of bigger brains. These bigger brains were the reason why whites were of superior intellect from blacks & Native Americans. Civilization & Savagery  At first, skin color had to cohere with savagery to negatively impugn a particular racial group.  Thus Hottentots of Southern Africa, Aborigines of Australia, and the Natives of America were thought by some writers to actually be “lower” on the evolutionary scale then some Africans.  For Example, the Moors were regarded as “civilized” see Othello.  But by the 1830’s, Africans and especially blacks in the Western Hemisphere were being described as “ape like, savage, culturally and morally inferior”  A justification for slavery- pseudo science of racism rewrote history to show the inferiority of blacks.  Thus in the 19th century as a context for justifying domination and exploitation of non-white people throughout the world, Europeans, then whites, created & refined a racist ideology that lingers worldwide today.  This ideology was largely created by slave apologist in the southern U.S. and the Caribbean. The Contemporary Consequences  Lingering are the consequences of centuries of ruthless exploitation that significantly under developed places like the Caribbean, Africa and the black communities in the U.S., Canada, Western Europe & Australia.  Whites did not leave the resources taken  Caribbean piracy fueled by the thirst for silver, huge silver deposits were mined & used for European benefits.  South Africa: Huge mineral resources, including diamonds and gold led to a first world affluent society for whites and virtual wage slavery for blacks. Australia- dumpy ground for British criminals. Eventually the additional land made for a thriving trade motion* and wool, but the Native population, slaughtered and pushed off the land. All White Black Native Am Asian Am. Latino 20 21 19 6 18 17 24 26 19 17 11 8 35 21 33 20 53 9 29 49 15 57 30 45 Minority Population  Percent of the minority population… which is  Hispanic Mexican American 65.7% Puerto Rican 8.9% Cuban American 3.5% Central American 8.7% South American 9.1%  Asian American Chinese 22.4% Asian Indian 18.6% Filipino 18.1% Vietnamese 10.7% Korean 10% Japanese 5.3%  Native American (2000) White Ancestry Alaska Natives 3.6% American Indian 96.4 % Cherokee 11.6 % Navajo 11.1 % Sioux 4.5% Chippewa 4.4% Latin Am. Indian 4.3%  Scottish, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Russian less than 2%  Immigration  Legal immigration by country (4 largest)  Mexico (Biggest source for Illegal & Legal Immigration)  China  India  Philippines - These immigrants are highly educated & highly skilled.  Of the recent immigrants to the U.S.  Latin American 55%  Asia 23.1%  Europe/Canada 14% States with the largest immigrant Population California 27% New York 21% Florida 18.5 % New Jersey 19.5 % Texas 16% Immigrants V.S. Native Born Income German 15.2% Irish 10.9% English 8.7% Italian 5.6% French 3.9% Polish 3.2% Less than $20,000 More than $50,000 Native Born 16.5% 30.2% Immigrants 30.5% 21.8% Immigrants by Country Europe 16.5% 35.1% Asia 17.2% 37.3% Latin Am. 41% 10.8% Caribbean 32% 18.3%