Dr. Bolger was out of town and the class was led by T.A. and Fuller Doctoral Candidate Craig Hendrickson.

He asks us at the beginning of the class to answer the question "What does it mean to be civilized?"

From the video:

Thomas Jefferson believed that blacks were inferior to whites, even though he penned the words that "all men are created equal."

In the beginnings of America, race did not define someone as much as status, religion and wealth. Race gradually become more important in defining people over time. Part of this process was that Africans were forced into slavery to work in the United States; the arrival of African slaves meant that there was more distinction based on race, as whites began to see themselves as "superior" to blacks. This changing view was an ego enhancement. The existing power relationships between master/slave white/black began to be seen as natural.

The "freedom" of Native Americans led Jefferson to equate them with Europeans, and said that their "problem" was not race, but a "savage" culture. In order to prevent conflict, the US set out to "civilize" Native Americans through Christianity and agrarian life.

Thomas Jefferson sets science on the path to discover what makes blacks inferior to whites, to tell people why these people are different. Ideas would expand on the nature of black people. The move for land propels Native Americans into the spotlight.

The Louisiana Purchase meant that the United States would expand westward and interact with Native Americans who were living on the land.

The Cherokee tribe decided to adopt certain aspects of European culture in order to survive, as their way of life was being threatened by the United States. Despite this adaptation, the European Americans still oppressed the Cherokees, and gave their land to white settlers. "Poor" whites were empowered by the land they were given through the government.

1828 - Andrew Jackson was elected, and part of his platform was the removal of Native Americans east of the Mississippi. He promised to work for the "little guy", which was essentially white males. Democracy was only for one type of person.

1838 - US Army forced the Cherokee out of their land - trail of tears.
The US warred Mexico for land, and in the process, categorized Mexicans as "savage" and "inferior."

Science was seen as the answer to the race question:

Louis Agassiz was a Swiss scientist who first believed in the equality of races, but was influenced by the views of Samuel Morton, and came to consider races to be unequal. Other scientists such as Josiah Nott also adopted this view. This meant that the defense of slavery was the differentiation between the races.

Blacks were thought to be a different species and used that as a rationalization for slavery. “Throws off scientific reason and speaks from prejudice.” Pro-slavery arguments did not violate Jefferson’s call “all men created equal” clause because blacks were “not the same species” (not men?). Even certain branches of whites were considered superior.

The Dred Scott Decision meant that people of African descent could not become American citizens.

Even after the abolition of slavery, the rationalization (inequality of races) remained and ideas of racial inequality remained in American society. Popular magazines promoted the ideas of racial inequality.

"The White Man's Burden" - poem by Rudyard Kipling that encouraged imperialism:

• The US suppressed the filipino independence movement
• Filipinos were portrayed as African Americans and Native Americans (familiar images to Americans)
• The Philippines became US territory

At the 1904 World’s Fair, neo-classical palaces of progress were on display. But the people were also captivated by the humans on display. “Oh, that’s a savage.” Moving up the barbaric tree. World Fairs were adept at categorizing people. Considered the best way of bearing the “white man’s burden.” Native Americans were on display as vanquished people, showing the move of Manifest Destiny on the home front and on to global expansion. Visitors could see the people recently conquered.

People at the World Fair took photographs with the "natives" and "other people" to say "look how civilized I am?"

Ending statement: today we live in a state of heightened awareness about race and its history.

Race is socially constructed to further the particular goals of the powerful.

Discussion:

"Color-blind ideology": ignoring race as a factor in society and race relations. Served to maintain the status quo; issues of historic and structural racism are ignored.

White evangelicals and Black evangelicals are said to be the furthest apart (in American society) in their views on race.


Two Questions to Consider:

1. What are the implications of race as a social construct for the mission of your church?
2. Does the promotion of homogeneous churches help or hurt the addressing race and inequality in your context?