Scientific Racisms: the Eugenics of Social Darwinism
Dami Adesuyi
Anthropology 230
February 26th 2013
Professor Heyaca
Scientific Racisms: The Eugenics of Social Darwinism
In Necropolitics, Mbembe is quoted stating “the ultimate expression of sovereignty resides, to a large degree, in the power and the capacity to dictate who may live and who must die.” Through translation this means that the highest expression of power is having the position to control and manipulate who can and cannot live. In a way this quote connects to eugenics also. According to Wikipedia, eugenics is an applied science which promotes practices that can improve the genetic makeup of an entire population. Mbembe’s quote dealt with being able to control who lives and who dies while eugenics is all about how they can eliminate a population before it’s even created by biologically enhancing the current population to create a new generation of “more desired people.” The practice of Eugenics is not only morally wrong but can also be seen as racist, because the practice of eugenics can be used to where a certain race can no longer exist or a certain race will have to reproduce with a “higher” race in order to knock out future generations of that specific race.
In the one hour documentary, titled Scientific Racism: The Eugenics of Social Darwinism, we were told of situations in the 20th century that were pure examples of creating the extinction of a civilization using lies and manipulation. Mbembe’s definition and eugenics were thoroughly explained throughout the movie. As the empire of the British expanded, the indigenous people saw their culture, religion, race, and tradition destroyed. The British claimed that they wanted to integrate with the abolitionals and have the same equality but that turned out to be a lie when an act came about where troops were sent to capture the indigenous people. The British were capturing and eliminating civilizations using lies. Imperialism which is the act of another colony taking over another and
Anthropology 230
February 26th 2013
Professor Heyaca
Scientific Racisms: The Eugenics of Social Darwinism
In Necropolitics, Mbembe is quoted stating “the ultimate expression of sovereignty resides, to a large degree, in the power and the capacity to dictate who may live and who must die.” Through translation this means that the highest expression of power is having the position to control and manipulate who can and cannot live. In a way this quote connects to eugenics also. According to Wikipedia, eugenics is an applied science which promotes practices that can improve the genetic makeup of an entire population. Mbembe’s quote dealt with being able to control who lives and who dies while eugenics is all about how they can eliminate a population before it’s even created by biologically enhancing the current population to create a new generation of “more desired people.” The practice of Eugenics is not only morally wrong but can also be seen as racist, because the practice of eugenics can be used to where a certain race can no longer exist or a certain race will have to reproduce with a “higher” race in order to knock out future generations of that specific race.
In the one hour documentary, titled Scientific Racism: The Eugenics of Social Darwinism, we were told of situations in the 20th century that were pure examples of creating the extinction of a civilization using lies and manipulation. Mbembe’s definition and eugenics were thoroughly explained throughout the movie. As the empire of the British expanded, the indigenous people saw their culture, religion, race, and tradition destroyed. The British claimed that they wanted to integrate with the abolitionals and have the same equality but that turned out to be a lie when an act came about where troops were sent to capture the indigenous people. The British were capturing and eliminating civilizations using lies. Imperialism which is the act of another colony taking over another and