Racism, History and Lies

Eurocentric texts present myths of racial supremacy / inferiority as historical fact. This slide talk looks at how indigenous histories have been omitted and distorted, and Eurocentric constructs of chronology (whose "Antiquity"?) and geography ("Old World, New World"). It addresses attempts to de-Africanize ancient Egyptians and to ignore Saharan civilization, and examines various colonial models of history. One of the oldest uses religious conversion to justify invasion and conquest: Cujus baptisatio, ejus regio — "Whoever baptizes, to him the rulership." Another would be the evolutionary framework of "savagery, barbarism, civilization."

The origins of European racism and anti-Semitism are discussed in the context of crusader invasions, blood libel pogroms, inquisitions and witch burnings driven by diabolist ideology (treating people with different beliefs as "devil-worshippers".) We look at colonial ideologies of "Manifest Destiny," Terra Nullius ("no one's land") "White Man's Burden," "the March of Civilization," and "Progress." We also survey the imagery that is used to inculcate notions of "primitive" and "advanced," to bolster narratives of supercession, of settlers and slavers over "natives," and the constructs of "vanishing" cultures.

 

Visual Talks by Max Dashu. All titles are live visual presentations (average 90 minutes)
with a break midway and more time for questions and discussion.
Tech requirements: digital projector with VGA cable, screen, and mic.

See article on classic doctrines of racial supremacy as transmitted
in Euro/American institutions, textbooks and media

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