From what I understand the modern concept of race arose during the age of colonialism, but before that time, was there any documented accounts of racism against black people by white people?

  • 01100011101001111100 [she/her]
    ·
    3 years ago

    I don't think so for ancient Greeks, I don't think they were against black people anymore than barbarians (i.e. non-Greeks) in general. I know Romans didn't think black people were a big deal, for sure. In fact, if you asked Romans or Ancient Greeks what black people were, they'd probably have no idea what you're talking about - they'd be like: "Berbers and Egyptians etc aren't the same, what are you talking about?" Or ask them what white people were, or tell them that the Greeks, Parthians, Etruscans, Celts, Germanii, etc. were all one race they'd think you were crazy.

    If you consider Racism, as we understand it and in particular about black people, under Dialectical Materialism we must consider what socio-economic forces drove the development of Racism. I think looking into the historical record it's pretty clear that Racism didn't start until the slave trade in the New World. That doesn't mean people were all singing kumbaya, they just had a different conceptions that they split on. Like, for medieval or renaissance people, religion was way more important than ethnicity or even language. I know the medieval people thought quite highly of a mythical figure called "Prester John" whowas supposed to live in Africa and have a highly developed kingdom that was considered super good.

    • overeee [none/use name]
      ·
      3 years ago

      And what color did europeans think prester john was? Racism is internalized much like gender roles are, and this internalization exists entirely within white people, it has always existed even before colonialism put a name towards it, to claim that racism began during colonialism is to deny the existence of white and black people itself. Black people exist, they are a culture and a race and in need of preservation and whites have always sought the destruction of blacks. I recommend you read the works of Wallace Fard Muhammad to educate yourself on history of white people pre-colonialization.

      • Speaker [e/em/eir]
        ·
        3 years ago

        I recommend you read the works of Wallace Fard Muhammad to educate yourself on history of white people pre-colonialization.

        Is this a bit?