How Race Survived U.S. History
How Race Survived U.S. History
David R. Roediger, history professor at the University of Illinois, delves deep in his book, “How Race Survived US History: From Settlement and Slavery to the Obama Phenomenon” in order to investigate how the race was created around 1600 and was kept breathing to the present day America. Roediger recalls how the idea of race used to exist during the significant moments of American history. Racism travelled from American Revolution through the American civil war and to the modern status of United States of America.
Roediger defines the race at the beginning of the book. The author, instead of considering race as natural, believes it as something new which was created with an intention to divide and classify the people in terms of citizenship, status and property. Slavery has been portrayed as a clear example how racism works. It took different human beings of various cultures and further, labeled them as uncivilized people, as black people, and as people who are nowhere in comparison of white Europeans and Americans. These people were destined to be slaves just because of their race. Roediger portrays how native Americans were subjugated and killed by the Europeans. They were compelled to fight in the wars against enemies of Britain. They used to work as slaves in the fields as well as in the homes of their white masters (Roediger, 2010).
Roediger presents several examples in order to corroborate his point of view. He also discusses two important ideas about racism. The first idea which he describes, is the portrayal of whiteness as an asset. The author portrays how whiteness used to indicate nearly everything about a person. It used to indicate where an individual resides, what he does, and furthermore whiteness used to be a guarantee against slavery. Even if an individual has no quality, he can still say that he is superior just because of his skin color (Roediger, 2010). The Society used to differentiate and recognize people on the basis of their color. The laws of the land were different for white and black people.
Roediger mentions current American president Barack Obama, but instead of focusing on president’s historic win, he describes how the race still exists in the American society. Roediger suggests that a black managed to be the president of the America but they are still subjected to a number of discriminations. He does not present the idea of race in regards of African Americans but also includes Hispanics, Asians and others (Roediger, 2010). Roedigar portrays the condition of these people and also suggests how they lead a different life from their white counterparts.
Roediger suggests that race was duly patronized by eminent people and the society since the beginning. He further presents a structural analysis and suggests that this country will be dominated by the blacks. He also suggests that America is going to be a “nonwhite” country in coming fifty years. He suggests that the American society will be completely different from what it is today. He presents reliable data and account that suggest readers to believe about his version of the story. David R. Roediger presents a broad survey about the idea of racism in his book and further, suggests Americans to counter racism at any cost in order to make a better society and a better tomorrow.
Reference
Roediger, D. R. (2010). How Race Survived US History: From Settlement and Slavery to the Obama Phenomenon. USA.: Verso Books.
