Racial discrimination is a set of beliefs based on the idea of the inequality of races, the superiority of some national groups over others. The term "racism" first appeared in 1932.
What is discrimination?
Discrimination is the restriction or deprivation of the rights (advantages) of certain social or national groups based on gender, race, political or religious beliefs. Discrimination can manifest itself in all areas of society. For example, in the social sphere, it acts in the form of restricting access to education or benefits.
Today, discrimination (racial, gender, religious) is condemned by the international community. Depriving people of their rights and freedoms on any grounds is contrary to the modern system of values.
The rise of racism
The emergence of racism is attributed to the times of the first contacts of Europeans with other civilizations, that is, to the era of great geographical discoveries. During this period, in order to justify territorial seizures, often accompanied by the extermination of indigenous people, the first theories about the inferiority of certain ethnic groups are being developed. Whiteracism appeared precisely in the European colonies in America, Africa and Asia.
In 1855, a book by the French historian Joseph de Gobineau en titled "An Essay on the Inequality of the Human Races" was published. The author put forward the thesis about the influence of the racial composition of certain groups on the development of these societies and their civilizational success. Joseph de Gobineau is considered the founder of Nordicism (a type of racial discrimination, the theory of the superiority of the Nordic race over others). In his work, the historian identified three main races: white, yellow and black. The first is superior to the others both in physical and mental indicators. The central place among the "white people" is occupied by the Aryans. At the middle rung of the racial hierarchy, according to Gobineau, are the "yellows", and the bottom is occupied by the "blacks".
Attempts to scientifically substantiate racism
After Joseph de Gobineau, racist theory was developed by many scientists. We note the main milestones in the development of ideas of discrimination based on race:
- George Vache de Lapouge is a French ideologue of racism, a sociologist. He put forward the thesis that the cranial index (cephalic index) is the main factor influencing the position of a person in society. In this regard, Lyapuzh divided Europeans into 3 groups: long-headed light blond (differ in energy and intelligence), short-headed dark-haired (malogenious race), long-headed dark-haired.
- Gustave Lebon - French sociologist, author of the work "Psychology of peoples and masses". He believed that inequality and discrimination on the basis of race is an objective wayexistence of society.
- Houston Stuart Chamberlain is a German sociologist. He put forward the idea of the superiority of the German nation. He advocated the maintenance and preservation of the "purity of the races." In the book "Fundamentals of the 19th century" he said that the Aryans are the bearers of civilization, while the Jews destroy it.
Racism in the US: Blacks or African Americans?
Racial discrimination in the US predates the founding of the state. In America, Indians (natives) and blacks were considered inferior. Only "white people" had civil rights. For the first time, black slaves were brought by English colonists to the country at the beginning of the 17th century. Slave labor from Africa was widely used in the plantation economy, especially in the southern United States.
Officially, the elimination of racial discrimination in the United States began in 1808. This year, the State Congress banned the entry of new black workers into the country. In 1863 slavery was officially abolished. This event was recorded in 1865 in the 13th amendment to the US Constitution.
Despite the abolition of slavery, racial segregation became widespread during this period - a form of racial discrimination, the practice of restricting the black population to separate areas of residence or attaching them to certain institutions (for example, schools). Officially, it has existed since 1865.
Significant progress in the elimination of racism in the United States was only in the middle of the XX century. He was associated with a number of new laws equalizing the rights of Americans,Indians and African Americans.
Ku Klux Klan activities
The Ku Klux Klan is a far-right organization that originated in the United States in 1865. Discrimination (racial) of blacks and their physical extermination was its main goal. The ideological doctrine of the Ku Klux Klan was based on the idea of the superiority of the white race over others.
Some interesting facts from the history of the organization:
- The Ku Klux Klan has experienced a revival three times. In 1871, the organization was dissolved for the first time. After a revival at the beginning of the 20th century, the Ku Klux Klan ceased to exist during the Second World War. The new recreation of the organization dates back to the 1970s
- The grotesque costumes worn by the members of the KKK were truly intimidating. They consisted of a wide hoodie, a long pointed hat and a mask.
- Today the Ku Klux Klan is not a single organization. Separate centers of its activities exist in different countries.
Racism in Europe: Nordicism and Racial Hygiene
Nordism is discrimination (racial), which became widespread in Europe in the 20th century, in particular in Nazi Germany. It is based on the theory of the superiority of the Nordic (Aryan) race over others. French sociologists Joseph de Gobineau and Georges Vache de Lapouge are considered the founders of Nordicism and its main ideologists.
Racial discrimination and xenophobic policies in Nazi Germany were based on the so-calledracial hygiene. This concept was introduced into scientific circulation by Alfred Pletz. The Nazi racial policy was directed against the Semitic race, the Jews. In addition, other peoples were declared inferior: the French, gypsies and Slavs. In Nazi Germany, Jews were initially excluded from the economic and political life of the state. However, already in 1938, the physical destruction of the Semitic race begins. Its beginning was laid by "Kristallnacht" - a Jewish pogrom carried out throughout Germany and part of Austria by armed detachments of the SA.
Fight against racism
Today, the fight against racial discrimination is the goal of all democratic states. The restriction of human rights and freedoms is contrary to the values of modern society. In the period from 1951 to 1995, international organizations adopted a number of documents condemning and prohibiting discrimination on any grounds (racial, gender or religious). The provision on the inadmissibility of deprivation of liberty is present in the European Convention on Human Rights. In many modern countries, on the international day against racial discrimination (March 21), mass rallies and performances are held.
