Race: The Power of an Illusion : The Story We Tell (2003)
Directed by Tracy Strain
Genres - Science & Technology, Historical Film |
Sub-Genres - Race & Ethnicity, Sociology, Biological Sciences, Social History |
Run Time - 60 min. |
Countries - United States |
Share on
Synopsis
"The Story We Tell" (Part 2 of three) surveys justifications for racism in the U.S. during the 18th and 19th centuries, beginning with Thomas Jefferson, who had to square the concept of "all men are created equal" with the reality of slavery. He did it by impying that "people who are enslaved are not quite men," says historian Ira Berlin. The hour also examines how white Americans rationalized their treatment of Native Americans; and recalls how "science" kept racism alive after emanicpation.
Characteristics
Moods
Keywords
race/ethnicity, social-conventions, misconception, social-inequality, human-origins, roots [origins], biology