ANTH 23 Lecture Notes - Lecture 22: Double Consciousness, Noel Ignatiev, Race Traitor
Document Summary
Dubois and studies of other races, 1980"s and 1990"s examined how whiteness is constructed. Previously whiteness considered default normal category, now seen as intentional construction must be explained. Instead of celebrating white culture, attempt to understand how white privilege functions to dismantle racist ideologies and structures. 2015 asu course on problem of whiteness resulted in protests and threats. Americans descended from europeans have privileges, varies greatly with class, gender, ethnicity. Sometimes gender more important in determining status and roles. Colonialism and conflict with ottomans produced idea of europeans, idea of white race started in colonial america. First africans in virginia 1619 as indentured servants, like many poor europeans. As indentured servants became free, peasantry developed that demanded land, higher wages, etc. Last half 17th century virginia law acknowledged class of permanent slaves, became norm for africans and illegal for whites. Created enslaved race, gave comparatively poor whites a stake in maintaining racial hierarchy.
