Racism and Prejudice Essay -- Racial Relations, Carl N. Degler

Racism and hurt against African Americans in the United States can be effect many years before the institution of slavery was legally defined in any state or federal right. Historical documents reveal that intimately a half a century before slavery delineate by law, racism against colored people was apparent. Although some modern historians whitethorn argue that racism was a result of the clear-cut slavery codes, tally to author Carl N. Degler, if one examines the early history of slavery in the incline colonies and the reaction of Englishmen toward black people, it becomes evident that the assumption slavery is responsible for the impoverished social status of Negros is open to question (29). thralldom did not antedate racism. Rather, legal slavery helped discrimination against African-Americans perpetuate and flourish from the 17th to the nineteenth century. In fact, racism and fear of the norm is a commonly found behavior in history. For instance, Irishmen in the c olonies were referred to as beyond the Pale or even slaves (30). The famous poet and playwright Shakespeare even referred to the African prince Othello as a thing (31). The Africans were of a different culture and considered an inferior race for these differences. They were bound(p) to be slaves due to the prevalent prejudice such as organism labeled savages in Africa. As early as 1620, Virginia and Maryland records seldom refer to slaves but mainly speak of Negroes (31). The label Negros is in no way a positive term. Discrimination was widespread in law codes throughout the world before the establishment of slavery as well. In Bermuda, the Assembly of Bermuda passed an act restraining the insolencies of the Negroes (32). Notice the word insolencies,... ...s well as the plague of blacks. White southerners, two rich and poor, looked down upon Africans as the inferior race. two felt the cerebral status as higher beings, especially the poor, who would be the lowest of all classes in the southern hierarchy if slavery never existed. One backcountry farmer addressed his fellow southerners, asking, Howd you like to hev have a nigger steppin up to your darter daughter (182-183). Recorded commentary such as this demonstrated the common fear of the black-man.Slavery played a blusher role not only in the economy, but in hostelry as well. Racist ideals along with the psychological effect of being supra another class led to the defense of slavery by both the rich and poor alike. Works CitedDegler, Carl N. Neither Black Nor White Slavery and Race Relations in Brazil and the United States . New York, 1971 .