Race has no biological meaning. There is only one human race; there are no subspecies, no characteristics, traits or even genes that define a single “race” from another. Rather than being a biological concept, race is a social construct, and a relatively modern one at that. It was created to give an advantage to light-skinned Europeans by making the white race superior and all others inferior. Throughout its history, the concept of race has served this purpose well. Ancient civilizations, although they practiced slavery, did not classify people by race, but by other characteristics, such as religion and status. The concept of race first developed in the 18th century, as a way for slave owners to justify slavery and ensure their economic security. They called on science to classify what made the races different from each other, both physically and mentally, so that a clear distinction could be made. Thomas Jefferson included racial comments in his writings, On the State of Virginia in 1784. He said blacks were inferior to whites in “endowments of body and mind” (My Mix Reel handout). His view was similar to that of many whites of the time. If that statement were true, it would be natural for blacks to serve their white owners. Slave owners were also concerned about the danger of slaves becoming familiar with freed whites. They drafted slave codes that were intended to “disgrace blacks and thus uplift poor whites without having to give them anything” (Harris). Poor whites had no power or influence, but because they were white they at least had a natural superiority over blacks. This helped segregate them from slaves, who they also viewed as pos...... middle of paper ......Americans: Resisting Oppression, 1860-1920”• Handout from week 4/week 5: My Reel Mix • Hazel McFerson: “Asians and African Americans in Historical Perspective, Part 2” • Gary Okihiro: “Regions of Fire,” Island World • Gary Okihiro: “Screening Oceania,” Island World Other works were used, but none direct quote taken from: • Gary Okihiro: “Is yellow black or white? Revisited” • Robert G. Lee: “Foreword,” East Main Street • California Newsreel: “Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Race” • American Anthropological Association: “Statement on Race” • Heyck: “Timeline of Latino Events,” Barrios and Boderlands• Francisco H. Vazquez and Rodolfo D. Torres: “Comparative Chronology…Chronology of Asian-American History”• Political Cartoon, 1898, “Hurray for the Fourth of July”• Week 4/5: My Mix Reel – 1800• Handout of the week 4/5:1800-1990 Driving forces