Racism In African American Enlightenment

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Racism and racist ideas are still present in American society today. It did not just begin with the implementation of slavery in the Americas, but it holds much deeper roots in the history of Europe. The European Enlightenment was a period in European history where
Although racism is not as obvious and blatant today as it has been since the inception of this country in 1776 and even before that when the first slaves arrived on North American soil in Jamestown in 1611, it still exists, and as an African-American historian, I want to discover how race relations originated and developed over time. I decided to choose 19th century America because during this time period, the idea of certain races being superior to others started to take root in …show more content…
The Age of Enlightenment roughly lasted from the early 17th century and making dominant strides throughout the 18th century. During the Enlightenment period, a large focus was placed on the separation of church and state, philosophy, politics, science, religion, and sociology. With the idea of improving humanity, out of the social age racial superiority was born. Now scholars had the opportunity to rationally explain why some races or ethnicities were preferred or treated better than others. It is anticipated that through research, I will find that the racist ideas constructed as a result of the European Enlightenment during the 18th century will have a much larger effect on America in the 19th century and its citizens rather than where the Enlightenment Period was dominant. It will affect the implementation of US …show more content…
Jean Jacques Rousseau attempted to “lay down the essential principles which must form the basis of every legitimate society”. However, in doing so, he also justifies social mores such as inferiority and slavery. Although he does say that “no man has natural authority over his fellow”, he also states that “nothing is more certain than that every man is born in slavery is born for slavery”. These seemingly contradicting ideas prompt thinking of whether Rousseau was questioning himself, but it seems to ask a grander overarching question. It seems that the idea of not controlling one another may only apply to a certain group of people and not everyone. It may only be meant for certain groups of
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