Racism
Racism, as defined in our class, is the belief that one race of people is humanly superior to another race of people due to a feeling of superiority that gives them the right to dominate the other group. Throughout the semester, the material we have studied shows the significance of racism in American history, specifically during the time surrounding the Civil War. Also important is the way that racism is presented in American history textbooks, as these textbooks are the primary source by which young Americans will learn their history. The book, Lies My Teacher Taught Me by James Loewen, addresses the issue of oppression and white racism and the ways in which these topics are virtually ignored by American history textbooks. He starts by describing the underlying theme of American history which he says is "the domination of black America by white America." (Loewen 2) This theme is shown by relating events in history such as the formation of the Republican Party, the first override of a Presidential veto, and Reconstruction, to slavery and racism. The relationship between such events and racism are not addressed in American history textbooks and Loewen shows the importance of understanding this relationship in his book. Chapter fiv
One book in particular is a primary source of the institution of slavery and its relation to white racism. This is shown through the political history of the United States since the framing of the Constitution. However, when the issue of slavery is addressed in history, the emotion portrayed is that of sadness and not anger over the evils done to an entire race of people. Loewen's overall point is that in order to end racism, students must first understand what causes racism. Racism is what is hindering the progress of America in every aspect because racism affects every aspect of American lives. This racist attitudes of the northern soldiers were even believed to have been increased because many people in the north blamed blacks as the primary cause of the war. " (Slavery 227) This reference is a justification for the existence of slavery and is a result of the racist attitudes of that time. It is not skin color itself that causes racism, but the attitudes and ignorance of people throughout history that does. Lincoln's reluctance to even go to war over the issue of slavery, let blacks fight for the north, and issue the Emancipation Proclamation, show that he was heavily influenced by his own racist feelings and that of the racist American public of whom he was elected to serve. Later compromises, such as the Missouri Compromise of 1820, the Compromise of 1850, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, at first appear to show that the north wanted to abolish slavery (which is also taught in high school textbooks). The only way that racism in history can be explained is through the experience of the oppressed, such as in Litwack's book, Douglass's narrative, and the articles written by former slaves and abolitionists. " (Litwack 125) This shows that the racist notions of that time were not limited to the south as is widely believed, but were also instituted in the north for some time.
Common topics in this essay:
Emancipation Litwack,
Frederick Douglass,
George Washington,
Whatever Lincoln's,
Kansas-Nebraska Act,
Opposing Viewpoints,
War American,
Civil War,
America Racism,
Republican Party,
american history,
history textbooks,
white racism,
american history textbooks,
racist attitudes,
race people,
black people,
civil war,
white people,
significant role,
loewen maintains,
life frederick douglass,
narrative life frederick,
racist attitudes northern,
history textbooks loewen,
|
Acceptance Essays
