The Civilization of the World

The word civilization did not exist in its current form until the late eighteenth century, when european colonialism was on the rise. Ideas about who is civilized and who isn't were constantly used to justify slavery and colonialism. Alongside these constructions, so called scientific racism emerged to further justify ideas that the purportedly civilized should control power and wealth. But as frederick douglas bserved long ago, "the oppressor ever finds in the character of the oppressed a full justification for his oppression"