The Origin of Race in the USA

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Do you believe that your race correlates to your skin tone? Because that wasn’t always the case. So how did Americans come to believe that race equals certain visible physical characteristics such as skin color and hair? And why is it that certain ethnic groups that were once considered “non-white” became reclassified as “white”? Watch the episode to find out.
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Written and Hosted By: Danielle Bainbridge
Graphics By: Noelle Smith
Edited By: Linda Huang
Produced By: Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)
Works Cited:
www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002...
www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002...
www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002...
www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002...
www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002...
www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002...
www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002...
www.history.com/topics/black-...
Nell Painter: The History of White People
Walter Mignolo Darker Side of Western Modernity
Matthew Frye Jacobson Whiteness of a Different Color: European Immigrants and the alchemy of race
Cheryl Harris “Whiteness as Property”
Emmanuel Chukwudi Eze On reason: rationality in a world of cultural conflict and racism
Fredrickson, G. M. 1987. The Black Image in the White Mind. Middletown: Wesleyan University Press.
Smedley, A. 1993 (1999). Race in North America: Origin and Evolution of a Worldview. Boulder: Westview Press.
Stepan, Nancy. 1982. The Idea of Race in Science. London: Macmillan.
www.nytimes.com/2017/03/17/us...
opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com...
"race, n.6". OED Online. January 2018. Oxford University Press. www.oed.com/view/Entry/157031?... (accessed March 12, 2018)
www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/...

[@tellethomas410]

Now, why aren't these videos in all classrooms?? I learned a lot and became even more curious this is exactly the education our kid's schools should add to their curriculum.

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

I wish this was mandatory for all grades in all schools at all times. Black history IS american history.

[@infinite5795]

As an Indian( from real India), this was very enlightening. We read about the French and American revolution too at school, so that helped. I was very confused what to fill during my graduate school admission forms, as being brown and being Asian was never an option. Also, the authorities didn't believe me at first, because of my fairer complexion( common in Northern, Western and N.Eastern India). Being racially jeered at was not a pleasant experience, but I hope we grow to respect each other as a universal community, Vasudhaiva kutumbakam( the world is one family).

[@ladygreenlife]

This was illuminating! As an

[@Angie_978]

When I was in college I took a few classes on native American history. I found it very interesting to learn how the official definition of race (and the perceived amount of a mixed race person's "whiteness") was changed to essentially change the definition of if you were "Indian" enough to be considered part of the tribe (or if your children were) and if you were "white" enough to be legally able to look after your own affairs and own your own land. In some instances in history, if you were mixed you were no longer counted as a tribal member by the US government. In other instances, the government policies actively encouraged mixed race marriages because mixed children and grandchildren were considered "white enough" (at least 25%) to have more property rights than their "full-blooded" native parents and grandparents. One of my professors called this "attempted genocide by redefinition."

[@jaimitoelpoderoso]

This kind of work is what makes youtube invaluable. Thank you to the creators of such content!

[@connshawnery6489]

Finally, a cross-section of cultural history detailing slavery in the west, grounded by factual data and empirical evidence. Beautifully presented and very informative. Thank you Danielle!

[@kenziehenderson8163]

As a history teacher with a masters degree in civil rights, this is a must see!! Definitely going to show this to my students. Thank you!!!

[@busyrand]

Well done. This is important for Americans especially to know but rarely discussed well.

[@DanielSanchez-ss9bs]

Highly intelligent with an amazing voice

[@LisaKuhle]

Can a class on this be mandatory in every school in America? It really needs it right now!

[@stacie1595]

I'm so thankful I stumbled upon your videos! I am an aspiring history teacher (degree and certificate in hand but looking to go abroad first) and can't wait to use this in my future classroom. I think these videos act as a great launching point for discussion.

[@marileephilen4575]

I don't want to make this a long comment, however, I feel it

[@jonbush2653]

So, what the hell did I learn in school all those years?

[@dantes98mex]

Wow.....right from the get go she distinguished the difference about U.S history aspect vs the rest of the world.... good for her. She is a very smart lady.

[@TAVettel]

I have watched a few of your informative videos, and they have me wanting to finish the book "Lies my Teacher Told me". I am also so glad many of my primary school history/social studies teachers pulled information from college text books and taught the controversy of history in class (even if it was not part of test).

[@hydraelectricblue]

What's sad is that she has to explain this stuff at all in 2018. Why do these archaic ideals sill thrive in 2018?

[@AKenyanMax]

Who else is here during the racial tensions in America following George Floyd's death?

[@GNAGarcia]

I teach pre-service teachers and use this video in a Multi-Ed Course bc even as 3rd yrs in Uni, they are still not knowing the differences between Race, Ethnicity, Nationality. Thank you for this content.

[@hanihanitraore7102]

Great video! I am using it in my Multicultural education class to help my students get a better understanding of "race" . Thank you!