The Ideology of a Racial Worldview

The Racial Worldview The meaning of racism can be defined a prejudice or animosity against a group of people who belong to a race. The idea of racism can be stemmed from the belief that people of different races have different qualities and abilities, and that some races are inherently superior or inferior. The practice of such racial activities reflects the ideas of a racial worldview. This ideology states that humans are classified and divided into different biological and hereditary entities known as races. Within this ideology is a link between physical, personal, and cultural traits. These traits also show for a group to be more superior or inferior to one another. Those ingrained with the idea of racism believe that lower statuses in society define those of an inferior group, and that higher positions in society go to those of a more dominant and economically powerful race. The ideology of a Racial Worldview has been implemented in the United States in many ways since the beginning of colonial expansion. The themes portrayed from slavery, Manifest Destiny, Eugenics, education gap, colonialism and other social movements have indeed implemented a Racial Worldview in America, and that these themes sought out to victimize and demean such groups deemed inferior. However such groups victimized were able to successfully challenge the ideas of those considered superior. A major theme that contributed to the ideology of a Racial Worldview was slavery in colonial America. Racism appeared in America during colonization in the 18th century. The idea of racial classification was to show the differences between the people of European origin and those of African descent, whose ancestors were forcefully enslaved and transported to America. During this time, African Americans were deemed inferior because of their classification as slaves. They were controlled by rich white masters on plantations. These slaves were subject to little or no education, no economic power, and no freedom. Slaves were thought of as commodities and were constantly bought and sold to different plantations to perform countless hours of labor. Slaves were subject to full labor without pay while the plantation masters benefited from profits and lived lavish lifestyles. “There had always been in Virginia a rough congruity of Christianity, whiteness, and freedom and of heathenism, non-whiteness, and slavery” (Toward Racism, 331)1. Slave laws were also introduced to protect the white masters from helpless servants. However, this era of slavery fortunately came to an end many years later. Many important figures in history aimed at starting an abolitionist movement to free slaves. The ratification of the 13th amendment and Emancipation Proclamation sought to end all slavery. Another major theme contributing to an American Racial Worldview was the idea behind Manifest Destiny. “Manifest Destiny was a phrase which invoked the idea of divine sanction for the westward territorial expansion of the United States” (US History)2. The purpose of Manifest Destiny was to expand democratic institutions all throughout North America. The key influences behind Manifest Destiny was to show the virtue of American people, remake the westward expansion as an image of the United States, and to show the destiny under god’s will to accomplish this work. However, this expansion of new territory created racial consequences towards Native Americans. The United States government wanted to expand west through legal means of purchasing Native American land. The native Indian inhabitants were persuaded to sell their land through treaties and were encouraged to become more “civilized”. This meant that Native Americans (considered savages by American settlers) were encouraged to stop hunting and gathering and focus more on farming and other aspects of civilized life. “Most colonists imagined the Native inhabitants of North America as the worst of Satan’s creatures, obstacles to civilized progress westward” (Imagining America, 20)3. Native Americans were seen as less educated and inferior compared to the superior white settlers. This era of Manifest Destiny was also known as Indian Removal, as most inhabitants were forced to leave their land and assimilate to the American way of life. Native Americans, however, retaliated against the dominant power in a series of battles over the western territory. The battle of little bighorn was recorded as the last Indian military triumph over the Americans. This example shows that the Native Americans were able to challenge the structures of domination. The Eugenics movement was also a contributor to the Racial Worldview perceived in America. Eugenics is defined as the proposed improvement of the human species by encouraging or permitting reproduction of only those people with genetic characteristics judged desirable (dictionary.com)4. Eugenics was a modern concept founded by Francis Galton. The policies created from the idea of Eugenics sought out for genetic screening, sterilization, marriage restrictions, racial segregation, and segregation of mentally ill from the rest of the population. Such racial classifications deemed fit were determined by categories such as skin color, hair color, facial features, climatic differences, and other environmental factors. A negative and racial view of Eugenics can be seen as it rejects the doctrine that all people are created equal and redefining this statement based on people considered more “fit”. The elements of racism through Eugenics show that the main purpose of this movement was to pursue a “Nordic” or “Aryan” race. Many groups of immigrants such as Asians, blacks, or Filipinos were seen as “unfit” in the eyes of white Americans. These groups considered unfit were subject to sterilization and other policies thwarting reproduction within these races. “Whereas sterilization programs, segregation laws, and anti-miscegenation laws were designed to keep separate the various races already in residence…immigration policy was seen as means of preventing the entry of undesirable races and, by extension, of interracial marriages” (Eugenics, 59)5. This quote further explains the racial segregation caused by the eugenics movement. Overtime, the idea behind eugenics was abandoned, as it was closely associated to the policies of genocide used in Nazi Germany. Another theme portraying a Racial Worldview in the United States was the World’s Columbian Exposition. Otherwise known as the Chicago World’s Fair, this exposition of 27 million guests showcased America’s progress through the past decades. American inventions such as the telephone, telegraph, and sewing machine were displayed on the main stage at this convention. The world’s fair in Chicago gave opportunities for the American -Culture to spread stories of the nation’s origin, even though much of the origin stemmed from genocide of Native Americans. The primary focus of the Chicago World Fair was to promote American technology and increase global trade. They also used this exposition as leverage to assert American superiority and imperial might. The three main themes to the expositions were to show pioneer spirit, Republicanism, and Progress of America. Exhibits of more “primitive” technology were also on display to show the (white) nation’s advances, at the same time show the evolution from the “less developed” (non-white). “But one clear effect of the exhibition was to portray primitive, weapon making Indians as inevitably vanishing peoples whose significance and fate lay in their obvious inferiority to (white) civilization” (imagining America, 27)6. This quote further solidifies the intentions that the Americans sought out to show that they were far more advanced in comparison of Western and Native societies. Another aspect of the World’s Fair was to show the comparison of White City and Midway Plaisance. White City portrayed technological progress of machinery, agriculture, arts, electricity, and other advances of the West. Whereas, Midway Plaisance provided displays of early village life depicting themes of chaos and savagery. “ Heavily laden symbol and an obvious tribute to racial whiteness, the aptly named White City provided the centerpiece of the event” (imagining America, 40) 6. The Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles in 1943 also depict a racial worldview implemented in the United States. The movie Zoot Suit (1981), which was shown in lecture provides some background on the clash of races between American sailors and Latinos. During the 1930’s, young Latino men found their way into dance halls, theaters, and other hangout places in an attempt to get out of the barrio. These young males dressed up with distinctive hairdos, flamboyant suits, and brimmed hats. They called themselves “Pachucos”. The Pachucos were usually resented and looked down upon by servicemen of the military because of their colored skin and different clothing style. “The local press had been beating a drum of fear that a Mexican crime wave had hit the city and Zoot Suiters and gangsters were one in the same” (La Almanac)7. On June 3, 1943 a group of white sailors claimed to have been attacked and robbed by Pachucos. The following resulted in a mob of sailors beating up members of the Pachucos. These sailors were reported to beat up and strip the clothing off any Latino male they could find. These actions continued for a couple of days with little or no intervention from authorities. Unfortunately, authorities at the time seem to approve of this behavior and rarely imprisoned any American serviceman. Many members of the Pachucos were sent to prison under false accusations. “The Los Angeles City Council issued an ordinance banning the wearing of Zoot Suits…The Zoot Suits has become a badge of hoodlumism” (LA Almanac) 7. Civil Rights activists were able to protest against the American military for their unfair acts against Latino males. On June 7, 1943 military authorities declared Los Angeles to be off-limits to servicemen. The Zoot Suit Riots were one example of how American men exploited Racism against a minority race. Another example of a Racial Worldview in America can be explained through the segregation of Mexican students in California. The lecture provided by the professor explained the struggles of unfair education levels for Mexican students in Santa Paula California. “Given that Mexicans were a conquered people, Anglo-Saxon political dominance and governmental policies helped drive white oppression against Mexicans. Segregation of Mexican Students was one such manifestation” (Valencia, 223)8. The segregation of these students was viewed as inferior and less expensive education, which produced a cheap source of labor. There were biological theories that claimed inferiority through hereditary purposes and that Anglo-Saxons should segregate from such groups to avoid degeneration. IQ testing was a factor used to compare Anglo-Saxon students from inferior Mexican students. This type of testing became more common to prove the Mexican students were indeed inferior. School boards used these results continually to separate the students in hopes that Anglo-Saxon students wouldn’t fall behind. “Because the IQ’s of Mexican students allegedly indicated that they were dull, it was common for school boards to track Mexicans in the manual-skill training classes” (Valencia, 231) 8. Santa Paula was known for citrus fields so many Mexicans were encouraged to mainly farm such crops. There was also evidence of residential segregation between Mexicans and Anglo-Saxons as each race was densely populated in separate areas around Santa Paula. Unfortunately to this day, there are some schools considered to be racially segregated in Santa Paula California. Racism is known to create hatred and distrust that can thwart any attempt to understand the other race. Over time, humans have begun to consider such acts of racism completely wrong and mistaken. Societies today continue to question such beliefs that were once practiced years ago at the start of civilization. Nowadays social trends steer away from racism and segregation is taught to be looked down upon. The instances explained earlier were all acts of racism perceived by a Racial Worldview in America. Those combating such instances have struggled to fight for their rights, and in most cases won.