Race: The Power of An Illusion-episode 2(Extra Credit)

The main point of episode two of Race: The Power of An Illusion is that race is not genetic, but was socially constructed in order to fulfill economic and political motives.

The film begins by stating that the problem with race isn’t how you look, but rather the meaning that people assign to it based on how you look. It goes on to state that race is an idea constructed solely to achieve economic and political goals. The film then goes on to explain in great detail the way in which Thomas Jefferson viewed slavery and blacks. The film refers to his Notes on the State of Virginia numerous times. It is explained that Jefferson viewed blacks as inherently inferior to whites. This is the first time that this idea was articulated. Before 1619, status was based more on religion and wealth and had nothing at all to do with the color of one’s skin. This changed when the colonies ran short on European indentured servants to work on the plantations. Planters took advantage of the slave trade and shifted their labor force over to black slave labor. This type of labor was beneficial because of its never ending supply and the fact that these slaves couldn’t run away and blind in with the rest of society due to the color of their skin. The film then discussed the way in which Native Americans were viewed. Native Americans were viewed similarly to blacks, but it was thought that they were inferior due to their culture and could be civilized. It was thought that they could assimilate with the whites unlike the blacks. However, this changed when the colonist wanted their land. Many Cherokees were forced of their land in 1838, and a quarter of them died on the Trail of Tears. The film goes on to explain that false scientific studies even proved that whites were superior due to the size and shape of their skulls. It was even thought that blacks were a separate species.

If there isn’t any scientific proof that there is a genetic difference among the races, why does this idea of race persist? The idea of race persists because it is still advantageous to certain groups. White Americans hold on to this idea of race because they can benefit from it. They receive privilege that is denied to other non-white groups. This is the same reason it was created in the first place. Whites created this idea in order to justify enslaving them. It was very profitable and these black slaves could be identified if they attempted to run away.

While watching the film I became some what saddened. It is horrible to think that this happened in a country that is based on the principle that all men are created equal. It is even worse to see that he very man that wrote those words owned slaves himself. I think that it is even worse that these ideas persist today, now that there aren’t even any inaccurate scientific findings to fall back on.