Theories of Race and Colonialism Flashcards
What are theories of “race” and colonialism
Contest problematic concept of “race” and the effects of colonialism
Colonialism definition
the historical process by which European nations dominated and occupied overseas nations
- Existed from 15th C. to 19th C.
- During this period that European countries started to establish colonies in other parts of world
- Became sources of raw materials for manufacturing and labour (including slave labour)
- Associated with development of “race” and racism
why is “race” quoted?
to signify problematic nature of the concept and use it in a critical way
Perspectives on “Race”
- Biological
- Questioning Biological
- Sociological
- Conceptual
The Biological Perspective of “Race”
- Idea of various biologically-determined subdivisions of human beings (so-called “races”)
- Based on physical and genetic characteristics
- Scientists came and developed typologies
Most popular divided human beings into 3 groups: - Caucasoid
- Mumbaloid
- Negroid
Came idea that some “races” were biologically superior/ inferior
Questioning the Biological Perspective of “Race”
Scientists at forefront of questioning (1930s)
- 1950s: scientific consensus that racial classifications are problematic
- Research showed that biological differences between human beings are small and insignificant
The Sociological Perspective of “Race”
- Sociologists explain continuing influence of “race” through theory of Social Constructionism
- Human beings have socially constructed physical and genetic characteristics to be important
- Therefore the idea of “race” has social significance
*Differences such as skin colour continue to Guide social interaction, Provide a basis for social inequality
Conceptual Understandings of “Race”
- Socially constructed label that has been used to describe certain kinds of physical and genetic differences between people
- All contemporary sociological theories of “race” adopt this understanding of the concep
Ideas of “Race” and Colonialism in Classical Soc. Theory (4+)
MARX
Saw that colonialism was linked to capitalism.
- Development of capitalism has come through colonialism and at the expense of Indigenous peoples, East Indians, and Black people
DU BOIS
- AA social theorist: primarily concerned with the inequality experienced by Black people in the USA
- Thought problem of racial inequality could be solved by changing certain aspects of society
- Shifted to radical leftist position: Seeing racial inequality as being solved by restructuring society
Anna Julia COOPER
- Developed theoretical ideas about the organization and workings of society
Argued order within this system could take 2 forms:
1. Domination and oppression
Eg. related to class, “race,” gender
2. Equilibrium
Can be interdependence among all sectors of society
Ida WELLS-BARNETT
- Her research focused on the lynching of AA in Southern United States (1890s to 1930s)
- Developed social causes of lynching
“race” and colonialism in contemp. soc. theory
FANON
- Black scholar, one of most important theorists of “race” and colonialism
- Best known for Black Skin, White Masks (1952) and The Wretched of the Earth (1961)
POSTCOLONIAL THEORY
- Argues that despite decolonization, power structures of colonialism stays intact and has continued impact on social, cultural, and economic development
CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES
- Critical race theory emerged 1980s and followed 1990s by critical theories of race and racism
SOUTHERN THEORY/NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES
- Attempt to overcome legacy of racism by rejecting, or reformulating, Western knowledge
Black Skin, White Masks (Fanon)
Describes psychological impacts of colonialism on Black colonial subjects
Domination
- Argued that due to domination by colonial culture, Black people in colonies developed negative self-perceptions
- As a result, colonialism not just political domination: also cultural and psychological dominations
Resistance
- Tried to identify forms of resistance and their psychological effects
- Negritude Movement
–> Critical response to colonialism and attempt to raise Black consciousness
The Wretched of the Earth (Fanon)
Developed a Marxian-inspired theory of colonial revolution to overcome colonial domination
- Addressed Micro and Marco level issues
MICRO
Addressed psychological effects on colonial subjects
- Shifted from negative self-perception to the positive psychological effects of revolutionary violence
MACRO
Book was written at the time of the Algerian Revolution
- Used this context to write about the role of violence as a response to colonialism
- Theorizes the use of violence by anticolonial movements to overthrow existing colonial system
Marxian Influences in The Wretched of the Earth (Fanon)
Stretching Marxian ideas to the colonial context (replacing class with “race” as the basis for inequality and domination)
Wretched of the Earth Comparison to Marxian Analysis
SIMILARITIES
- emphasis on economic exploitation
- analysis of religious effects
- emphasis on dialectical analysis
DIFFERENCES
- Identified different liberation goals (Fanon: Liberate colonized people ][ Marx: Liberate working people)
- Identified a different revolutionary force
(Fanon: colonial peasantry would initiate revolution ][ Marx: working class would initiate revolution)
Critical Race Theory
- Emerged 1980s
- Rooted in law: how legal system perpetuates racial inequality
- Draws on aspects of social theory, including Du Bois and neo-Marxism
Characteristics of Critical Race Theory
- Stresses that racism is “normal” and widespread in social life
- Suggests much of population has little incentive to eradicate racism
- Holds that “race” is a social construction that changes over time
Differential racialization Definition
different minority groups are singled out at different times as result of shifting circumstances
Critical Theories of Race and Racism
- Emerged 1990s
- Rooted in social sciences: adopt a more sociological perspective of racial inequality
- Have a much broader focus, addressing various aspects of social inequality across nations and globally
Critical Theories of Race and Racism Characteristics
- Draw upon multiple disciplines/ approaches within social sciences
- Go beyond study of race and racism and try to push for social change
- Emphasize intersectionality: how “race” intersects with many social forms of identities
