Historical Origins Of Racism In The United States - Book Report/Review Example

Historical Origins Of Racism In The United States BOOK REVIEW:Winthrop D. Jordan, born in 1931, was among the tremendous historians of United States of America that discussed in detail the subject of prevailing racism, discrimination and slavery in contemporary US society. The author received a bachelor degree from Harvard University after which he became a management trainee to gain some practical work experience. Winthrop Jordan completed his graduation in Colonial American history from Clark University in followed by a Ph.D. in the American History from Brown University in 1960.

After few years, the author became a full-time university teacher when he became part of University of California’s faculty, where he spent 19 precious years teaching History and researching on racism across USA. It should be pointed out that he was a National Book Award-winning historian, who wrote numerous pieces and monographs on American slavery and societal discrimination / racism. “White Over Black: American Attitudes toward the Negro, 1550-1812” was his most famous book published in 1968.

Indeed, the book was applauded because it demonstrates the roots of racial inequality in 20th century and discusses the impact of European settlers of North America toward the racism. The “White man’s burden; historical origins of racism in the United States’ is an excellent piece of work that aims to highlight the historical underpinnings of racism across USA. Indeed, the author has thrown light over decision about enslavement of African – Americans prior to 18th century, the dynamics of interracial sex, physical and spiritual attributes of Negroes, the revolutionary era and subsequent impacts over society, limitations of antislavery and societal isolation of ethnic minority groups (such as Latin-, African-, Iranian-, Asian-, Arab- Americans and Hispanics etc.). It should be noted that Dr.

Jordan has explained the same argument regarding slavery and racism in this book in more detail, which he actually presented in ‘White over Black’. Hence, it could be said that this new book is more comprehensive, thorough and in-depth version of his previous book named “White over Black”, as it provides better analysis and factual explanations on historical origins of racism.As far as the main argument is concerned, it should be emphasized that Jordan was inclined to reveal the continuing causes of white racism against minority ethnic groups across USA.

He clearly highlighted that darkness was a symbol of hatred, betrayal, treason, murder and nefariousness, whereas whiteness was widely used as symbol of love, peace, harmony and affection during Queen Elizabeth’s rule over United Kingdom. In simple words, darkness to represent the black deeds, while light used to represent white and clean deeds in the society. Having explained the above, the author develops an argument in which such black and white associations were used to provide explanation over root causes of slavery of African – Americans as well as the prejudice, termination and slaughter of native Red Indian population by whites, who originally migrated from Europe to USA after discovery by Columbus.

In fact, the main argument was European English immigrants enslaved Native Americans (Red Indians) as they were dark – colored, technologically and economically backward and easy to get conquered for exploitation and manipulation. Nevertheless, the concept of blackness could not be applied in entirety on Red Indians because they were dark colored, yet not had black skins. For instance, they were exterminated from USA; while on the other hand, African – Americans (on whom the concept of ‘blackness’ could be applied because of black skin) were enslaved by European whites to be exploited for personal gains and economic progress.

In short, both Red Indians and African – Americans were used as two fixed points that, in fact, served European whites to permanently settle across North America. Nevertheless, both Red Indians and African - American groups were actually the need of English mind. As far as the problem with this argument is concerned, it is worthwhile to point out that Dr. Jordon has primarily evaluated the causes on the basis of assumptions that always remained the dominant part in his historical analysis of social, political and economic factors.

Moreover, he focused heavily on subjective factors and elements rather objective causes. Reference:Jordan, Winthrop (1974) "The white man's burden; historical origins of racism in the United States" Oxford University Press