The
Deconstruction of Race:
Revision Post
By: Tori Palmberg
Image: Diversity Mask from Flickr
There
are deep historical and social evolutions throughout history that reveal the
complex roots and justifications of race. From the decimation of native
populations spurred by the Spanish Inquisition, to the subjugation and
degradation of the Irish before and during their emigration to America (Golash-Boza
2015) - race has been a profitable and powerful means to capitalist success. Colonialism
and slavery as a means to justify the existence and persistence of race are perhaps
the most glaring reminders of the human atrocities stemming directly from this
ideology.
It
is important to acknowledge that the enslavement of Africans and others
predates modern day definitions of race. History shows that slavery was usually
an after effect of war, driven by the need for an increased labor force as
American agricultural societies grew (Golash-Boza 2015), rather than a
purposeful discriminatory practice designed to punish and segregate. The slave codes of Virginia (1660’s) and other legal forms of racial
classification (laws) are what ultimately delineated blacks from Europeans and
subsequently, other racial groups. Further solidifying racial tensions were
attempts, such as Bacon’s Rebellion, by whites and blacks to join together in
resistance of such harsh and punitive slave laws. As a result of such
uprisings, the elite planter class and other’s with power and authority began
giving white servants greater privileges, such as amnesty for their rebellion,
were as blacks experienced greater slave restrictions and harsher punishments.
Eventually, the servant and slave class became almost entirely black, further
demarcating the color line and race in America.
“Whiteness”, a contested but powerful concept
originating in America, carries with it privileges that allowed racial groups
emigrating to America, including Italians, Irish, Chinese, Japanese, Syrians,
Armenians and Mexicans to separate themselves from blacks in the labor force.
Today, whiteness is still considered to be a privilege benefitting certain
racial groups while excluding and burdening others. In addition, the lingering effects of scientific racism
(Eugenics, Intelligence Testing etc.), burdensome immigration policies, and
barriers to citizenship over the last several decades have all contributed to
strengthening the notion of white superiority. Race is and will continue to be
relevant and meaningful as long as one or more cultures benefits socially,
culturally, and legally (Golash-Boza 2015).
Evidence
from films such as Race: The Power of An
Illusion, and literature including Race
and Racisms written by UC Merced Professor Tanyan Golash-Boza, clue us in
to the social and historical truths that led to modern day notions of race and
racism. While there is no basis in biology or science, race is a powerful
ideology that continues to persist today because humans with power and
authority continue to promote race classification and racial separation while benefiting
from its exploitation.
The
following links provide additional education and insight into the sociology of
race and ethnicity, as well as the latest data on human genetic variation:
This is a powerful essay and I appreciate you sharing your experiences and connecting them to the readings. Thanks for sharing your reflections and how they relate to what we have learned thus far.
ReplyDeletePlease go back in and create hyperlinks instead of having the links in your text.
Here is a youtube video that explains how to create a hyperlink in blogger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-igN-wxeIE
This was a really interesting piece. I thought it was very dramatic and compelling and it was interesting to see where you were going with it in the fourth paragraph. The only thing would be adding the links as hyperlinks and incorporated into your piece differently.
ReplyDelete