Colonization: the Origins of Racism Colonization refers to the external control

Colonization: the Origins of Racism
Colonization refers to the external control of foreign territories and indigenous people by a European-derived system of domination (colonizing country) with the motive to exploit and export raw materials (e.g. gold or other precious metals, sugar, tobacco, chocolate, etc.) from colonized lands (colony). Some of the historical characteristics and effects of colonization include forced conversions, coerced labor, foreign diseases, economic instability, racism, and genocide. The effects of colonization continue to weigh heavily on indigenous populations and detribalized peoples, while the cultural and economic legacies continue to most benefit descendents of colonizing Europe. The concept is linked to imperialism, an ideology of global empire building.
Race is a concept used to differentiate (discriminate and/or privilege) groups of individuals. Stated differently, “race is a concept which signifies and symbolizes social conflicts and interests by referring to different types of human bodies” (Omi and Winant, 55). Race is a social construct, it has no biological basis. Race is not scientific; there is no such thing as a race gene in our DNA. Western civilization made it up and yet it has a powerful influence on American History. The “White” race is from Europe, “Black” race from Africa, “Yellow” race from Asia, and “Red” race is Native Americans. These color assignments are not scientific but a social construction. This construct influences not just individual attitudes but also legislation and institutional practices as well. We will be returning to the concepts of “social construct” and “race” throughout the course.
Racism is a system of oppression. Racism happens when certain groups have access to resources such as education, employment, housing, banking, and healthcare while other groups are denied or offered lower quality of outcomes. As a system of oppression, racism is the inequitable allocation of political and social rights, as well as their economic benefits, that are protected all the while still upholding the doctrine of “the rights of man” (Omi and Winant, 64).
Racism as a system in early American history was developed as an attempt to exterminate Native Americans from their lands and enslave Africans to be exploited as a substitute for technology and brute force. Master Narratives do nothing to end racism in social institutions like education, housing, banking, and media. I would say people being taught to call each other “racists” is part of the Master Narrative, perpetuating language and speech (“discourse”) that is dehumanizing. Let us rethink the situation, and apply a counter-narrative.
While racism is systemic or structural in nature, it is frequently used to describe individual attitudes and behaviors. Although the term “individual racism” is useful in differentiating the two, there are two long standing terms that can describe individualized episodes related to racism. First, racial attitudes are often a form of prejudice. Some people like tall people and dislike short people. Expressing these attitudes is a sign of prejudice. Discrimination, on the other hand, is an act. When someone treats a certain group differently, like when a restaurant server is rude to you based on how you look or a teacher who only wants to teach a certain kind of student. Ultimately, actual racism requires the exercise of power and control over resources, private rights, and institutions. Today, racism is often mistaken for being the same as White Supremacy.
White Supremacy is the belief that white (European-derived) culture and identity constitutes a superior race and therefore should politically, economically, and socially dominate non-whites. This belief is intimately tied to and reproduced across social institutions as a result of racism. White supremacy, “as poet Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre said, “is not the shark; it is the water” (2016). In other words, white supremacy is not reducible to a personal belief and a society’s culture should be taken into account.
White Supremacy Culture refers to a design of our socio-political system that operates in the most mundane and unspectacular ways that are generally seen as “normal” and acceptable. Successful non-whites assimilate when they learn to “act white,” “talk like white people,” and “prefer white entertainment.” In contrast, most middle class whites are not reward by society when they “act black,” “talk like black people,” and “prefer black entertainment.” The fact language and pleasure are intimately tied to a racial culture means we cannot elude the conversation of race and racism.
Begin to think and think again
You have a mind; what’s it thinking?
Instructions: Write 100+ words on one (1) course concept above.*
Define what the concept means in your own words (3 pts).
Think of a useful description or example of the concept (4 pts).
Create your own reason that explains why this concept is significant to Ethnic Studies (3 pts).
Guidance: Follow the three (3) requirements above to receive maximum points. No other rules apply (citations, format, etc.). Base your response on what you already know, not the unit lecture. In other words, use your own knowledge to create knowledge about a concept: you can tie in your own personal experiences, stories, and examples. You can also use other concepts from this course to explain any aspect of your response.