The Invention of Race

Introduction

• American life is deeply intertwined with race.
• The podcast "Scene on Radio" hosted by John Biewen explores the origins of race.
• Features insights from scholars like Ibram Kendi and Nell Irvin Painter.

Chapter One: The Making of Black and White

• Historical Perceptions of Race
  • Ancient Greeks and Romans did not have a concept of race similar to today.
  • The Greeks had biases based on geography rather than skin color.
• Development of Racial Categories
  • Johann Friedrich Blumenbach theorized five human races.
  • Racist ideas often justified exploitation.

Key Historical Figures

• Gomes de Zurara
  • Portuguese writer credited with early formation of racist ideologies.
  • Depicted Africans as inferior to justify slavery.
• Ibn Battuta
  • Moroccan traveler who admired African societies counter to prevalent racist ideas.
• Ibram Kendi's Insights
  • Highlights how racist ideas were crafted to justify colonial exploitation.

Race and Slavery in America

• Colonial Laws and Race
  • Early laws began distinguishing between European indentured servants and African slaves.
  • 1640: John Punch's case marked a shift toward racialized slavery.
• Virginia Slave Codes of 1705
  • Codified racial divisions and reinforced the status of African slaves.

Construction of Whiteness

• Legal and Social Hierarchies
  • Citizenship and land ownership were limited to white Europeans.
  • The term "white" began formal usage in legal contexts by the late 17th century.
• American Identity and Race
  • The Naturalization Act of 1790 confined citizenship to "free white persons."
  • Racist structures were embedded in early American laws and practices.

Prominent Thinkers and Their Impact

• Thomas Jefferson
  • Advocated for Anglo-Saxon superiority.
  • His writings juxtaposed ideals of equality with racist notions.
• Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • Promoted Anglo-Saxonism as a benchmark of American identity.
  • His book "English Traits" reinforced racial hierarchies.

Modern Implications and Reflections

• Persistence of Racist Ideologies
  • Modern figures occasionally revive outdated, racist notions.
  • White superiority theories have endured in various forms.
• Understanding Racism
  • Racism is a system of advantage based on race.
  • Historical narratives often explain or justify systemic inequality.

Conclusion

• The podcast "Seeing White" delves deeper into the history of race and racism.
• Produced by John Biewen and the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University.