Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - RE: white smoke, white pope

it isn't the color that is the issue: obviously this has changed over
time, like tan as the marker for beauty and whiteness with the rise of
the bourgeoisie in the 18th century, and will continue to change. it is
the association between black people and their status. the link to
slavery and race, both in the arab world and the west, make black a
synonym for race, even when it wasn't really the color. so, as black
status changes in a community, so too does this color marker of status.
but it makes little sense to limit this issue of markers of high status
and low only to race or racial markers. class functions there as well,
and the markers of class, in speech and dress and education, also create
superior and inferior capitol. it is easy enough to see this within our
lifetimes as the status of blacks in america has changed and attitudes
conveying that status have changed enormously. not that the prejudice is
gone, but it is enormously different from what it was say 60 years ago.
i don't see culture then as the determinant of status; culture marks
difference, and with difference values of superior or inferior can be
created. but the status linked to power and wealth seems to me more
relevant.

ken

On 3/13/13 9:13 PM, Emeagwali, Gloria (History) wrote:
> 'was there ever a time when one group did not think it was superior to
> another?'
>
>
>
> I am assuming that this is a real question and not a diversionary tactic -
>
> so let me give it a shot.
>
>
>
> A theoretical distinction should be made between sentiments of superiority
>
> based on culture and those based on race, whiteness and the absence
>
> of melanin. On the average, over time and space, the crucial determinant
>
> for many groups seemed to have been culture.
>
>
>
> A shift to 'tanner' is not a sign of progress. It is an insult to
>
> people of ebony/ dark skin tones. The implication is that they have to 'lighten up' to
>
> 'catch up' with the "brown latinos". If this is not pigmentational eugenics,
>
> what is?
>
>
>
>
>
> Professor Gloria Emeagwali
> Prof. of History & African Studies
> History Department
> Central Connecticut State University
> New Britain
> CT 06050
> africahistory.net
> vimeo.com/user5946750/videos
> Documentaries on Africa and the African Diaspora
> ________________________________________
> From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of kenneth harrow [harrow@msu.edu]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 7:36 PM
> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - RE: white smoke, white pope
>
> was there ever a time when one group did not think it was superior to
> another?
> as for whiteness, and female beauty, hasn't there been a shift in the
> direction of tanner, closer to darker? don't you think that trend will
> continue as the u.s. gets more hispanic/latino? as the global north
> yields more to the global south?
> ken
>
> On 3/13/13 6:56 PM, Emeagwali, Gloria (History) wrote:
>> ..."it seems axiomatic since 1800 that the lighter the skin color,
>> regardless of region and heritage, the more acceptable and comfortable ....."Kissi
>>
>>
>> It's all about white supremacist megalomania and pigmentational eugenics-
>> mental disorders and symptoms of the psychologically depraved.
>>
>> But why 1800?
>>
>> I would go back to 1492.
>>
>> Gloria
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Kissi, Edward
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 4:39 PM
>> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
>> Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - RE: white smoke, white pope
>>
>> I would add, Gloria, that it seems axiomatic since 1800 that the lighter the skin color, regardless of region and heritage, the more acceptable and comfortable; the darker the skin hue, however, the more visually unpleasant and internally uncomfortable.... Even this is true to men of faith. Behold, the verities of Blackness! We will be back to this discussion again, the next time a Pope is needed. Until then, Adieu!!
>>
>> Edward Kissi
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Emeagwali, Gloria (History)
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 3:16 PM
>> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
>> Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - white smoke, white pope
>>
>>
>> white smoke, white pope
>> black smoke, no deal.
>>
>> Welcome to the new pope:
>> Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina
>>
>>
>>
>> Professor Gloria Emeagwali
>> Prof. of History & African Studies
>> History Department
>> Central Connecticut State University
>> New Britain
>> CT 06050
>> www.africahistory.net<http://www.africahistory.net/>
>> www.vimeo.com/user5946750/videos<http://www.vimeo.com/user5946750/videos>
>> Documentaries on Africa and the African Diaspora
>>
> --
> kenneth w. harrow
> faculty excellence advocate
> distinguished professor of english
> michigan state university
> department of english
> 619 red cedar road
> room C-614 wells hall
> east lansing, mi 48824
> ph. 517 803 8839
> harrow@msu.edu
>
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--
kenneth w. harrow
faculty excellence advocate
distinguished professor of english
michigan state university
department of english
619 red cedar road
room C-614 wells hall
east lansing, mi 48824
ph. 517 803 8839
harrow@msu.edu

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