Racism Throughout History : Racism

Racism Throughout History

Racism is a theme seen throughout all history. Not just one group has been affected by it in one way or another, but many groups if not all have experienced it. In the following we will explore racism in history.

To begin we must define the word. What is racism? Is it not allowing some something based on their skin? Their nationality? Is it calling the German Measles Liberty Measles, Sauerkraut Liberty Cabbage, or French Fries Freedom Fries? Yes, those are all examples of racism. The dictionary definition is “narrow mindedness, intolerance, bigotry” (Moore 269). Throughout history there have been many groups who have experienced racism in some way, shape, or form. Several of those groups of people are thought of more than others. Three of those groups have been African-Americans, Japanese-Americans, and the Jews in Europe.

The African-Americans were brought into America as slaves. From the point they came to America and for many years to come they were on the receiving end of racism. African-Americans were seen as a lesser than there white slave owners or whites in general. They had no freedoms and had to do as what the white person said or they would face the consequences (beatings, whippings). Many laws were made against the blacks such as the grandfather clause on the right to vote (Keene 435). They may have been granted the right to vote in the 15th Amendment, but the grandfather clause made it to where they could not vote because they could not pass the literacy test that was required to vote. Also they did not have a grandfather who voted before 1867. Having a grandfather who voted before 1867 was in order to get out of taking the literacy test. Even though they were now free they still had to d...

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...horrible racism because a leader wanted to eliminate a race.

Rather racism is due to not wanting a lesser to be equal, due to a war, or due to wanting to eliminate a race. Racism is racism and will always be around. There will always be a group that people hate and will be racist, prejudice, or have intolerance towards. Francis Biddle may have found a reason behind racism. “In tense times such as these, a strange psychology grips us. We are oppressed and fearful and apprehensive. If we can’t get at the immediate cause of our difficulties we are likely to vent our clammed-up energy on a scapegoat” (Girdner 105). Whether that is the real reason behind racism; one thing for sure is…. Racism will always be around. Racism is seen throughout history and will continue to be seen in future history as long as there are humans who know how to hate or are capable of hate.