Race, Identity, And Social Norms Essay - 1280 Words

The discussions of race, identity, and social norms begins to seem almost unavoidable in a society that is subjected to disproportionate ideas of equality. We tend to only recognize racism that occurs in the United States, ignoring the fight for acceptance of those of African descent around the world. The articles, â€Å"Being African in India: ‘We are seen as demons’† ‘Shock in India Over Mob Attack On Tanzanian Student† both effectively highlight the presence of race as the determinant of the choices you make, the way you are viewed by others, and ultimately the way in which you are treated in society. It is important to analyze race on a level that goes beyond just the surface, keeping in mind that the African Diaspora did not begin with the slave trades and that Africa was at the forefront of human civilization. Slavery indeed has had an enormous impact on the ever-changing construction of race. Michael Gomez brings attention to the major shifts we have seen involving race as it pertains to slavery. In ancient Egypt slavery was not initially racially codified. Europeans believed that color was caused by the sun and did not relate blackness with inferiority. Africans were actually viewed favorably and were treated as equal. In Chapter 3: Africans and the Islamic World, we also see a change in the treatment of slaves. In ancient Muslim societies they made use of slaves who were African, Slavic, and Caucasian. Slaves in Muslim societies were to be treated with dignity, wereShow MoreRelatedDu Bois : An Important American Thinker1744 Words   |  7 PagesW. E. B. Du Bois was an impor tant American thinker, philosopher, poet, economic historian, social critic, and sociologist. His work challenges our own categorization and how we see each other in society. The article focuses merely on Du Bois contribution to philosophy. 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