Racism and Prejudice

Racism and prejudice against African Americans in the United States can be found many years before the institution of slavery was legally defined in any state or federal law. Historical documents reveal that almost a half a century before slavery delineated by law, racism against colored people was apparent. Although some modern historians may argue that racism was a result of the clear-cut slavery codes, according to author Carl N. Degler, “if one examines the early history of slavery in the English colonies and the reaction of Englishmen toward black people, it becomes evident that the assumption slavery is responsible for the low social status of Negros is open to question” (29).

Slavery did not precede racism. Rather, legal slavery helped discrimination against African-Americans perpetuate and flourish from the 17th to the 19th century. In fact, racism and fear of the norm is a commonly found behavior in history. For instance, Irishmen in the colonies were referred to as “beyond the Pale” or even “slaves” (30). The famous poet and playwright Shakespeare even referred to the African prince “Othello” as a “thing” (31).

The Africans were of a different culture and considered an inferior race for these differences. They were destined to be slaves due to the prevalent prejudice such as being labeled “savages” in Africa. As early as 1620, “Virginia and Maryland records… rarely refer to ‘slaves’ but mainly speak of ‘Negroes’” (31). The label “Negros” is in no way a positive term. Discrimination was widespread in law codes throughout the world before the establishment of slavery as well. In Bermuda, “the Assembly of Bermuda passed an act restraining ‘the insolencies of the Negroes’” (32). Notice the word “insolencies”,...

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...s well as the hatred of blacks.

White southerners, both rich and poor, looked down upon Africans as the inferior race. Both felt the cerebral status as higher beings, especially the poor, who would be the lowest of all classes in the southern hierarchy if slavery never existed. One backcountry farmer addressed his fellow southerners, asking, “How’d you like to hev [have] a nigger steppin’ up to your darter [daughter]” (182-183). Recorded commentary such as this demonstrated the common fear of the black-man.

Slavery played a key role not only in the economy, but in society as well. Racist ideals along with the psychological effect of being “above” another class led to the defense of slavery by both the rich and poor alike.

Works Cited

Degler, Carl N. Neither Black Nor White: Slavery and Race Relations in Brazil and the United States . New York, 1971 .