Race and Cultural
The concepts of race, racism and cultural relativism are distinct issues that have influenced race relations today and in the past. This paper will describe each issue and its affect on slavery and the subjugation of Indians in America. Race and racism are often confused concepts. They do interrelate, but they are separate issues. Race can be strictly defined as the difference in human beings distinguished by physical features such as the color of skin, hair and eyes and the shape of features and body. The division of race by this definition can be very limited to the three primary divisions Caucasoid, Negroid, and Mongoloid. These divisions are broadened when the definition of race is expanded to include the difference in human beings based on geographic area and similar habits, beliefs, and traits. American Indians as a group do not fit into any of three primary divisions. "In theory, Native Americans taken together belong to what most anthropologists would call a basic race. Yet, on the whole, they tend to be a loose residue of tribes rather than a racial entity." (Hacker p. 5) What is important to realize about the concept of race is that it is a human creation. (Hacker p. 4) It is a concept that dates back to
Penn employed the fastest walkers and scouted the area ahead of time so his walkers would use only direct routes. Compared to "western civilization," the Indians' lifestyles, tools, customs, etc. So while different American Indian and African tribes each had their own customs, rituals, and beliefs, they were lumped together in white settlers racist beliefs. This situation applies greatly to the American Indians. In 1737, a dispute between the Delaware Nation and William Penn's son Thomas about land along the Delaware River was settled by a "Walking Purchase" agreement in which the settlers could claim the land as far north as a man could walk in a day and a half. In fact, slave owners often treated Blacks who tried to escape from slavery as traitors. The walkers went much farther than the Indians had thought they would, deep into the Indians' hunting grounds. When discussing racism, it is important to note that there is a "context" for it to exist. This major similarity of belief and religious practice did not kept racists from oppressing these people. Racists fail to relate to the similar tendencies of people when they are of different color. Racism grew out of this recognition of differences between human beings. That separation could mean that one race's quality of life is lower than another's. Penn did what he did within the letter of the law, but not without unfairness, and the Indians knew the deal was unfair. The white westerners failed to see any sophistication in these societies.
Common topics in this essay:
Walking Purchase,
Native Americans,
Blacks White,
American Indians,
America Race,
Indians Natchez,
Benjamin Franklin's,
Neither Black,
,
Indians Black,
white settlers,
black slaves,
american indians,
settlers indians,
difference human,
race human,
slave owners,
primary divisions,
quality life,
african tribes,
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Acceptance Essays
