Empire 224. Empire in Your Garden
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Jan 28, 2025 Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireworld, joins the hosts to discuss the complicated legacy of British imperialism in gardening. They explore how the obsession with exotic plants fueled environmental destruction while also sparking early conservation efforts. Topics include the role of monocultures and invasive species in ecological harm, the imperial roots of plant classification, and the racial implications woven into botanical history. Ultimately, they advocate for honest conversations about colonial impacts on our environment.
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Linnaeus and Racial Classification
- Linnaeus created the modern system of classifying plants and organisms.
- He also controversially classified humans by origin and skin color, reinforcing racist ideologies.
Classifying People Like Plants
- Anita Anand recounts how Sir Michael O'Dwyer classified people like plants, assigning simplistic labels.
- This reflects a broader trend of categorizing humans, hindering their potential.
Racist Classifications in "The People of India"
- William Dalrymple discusses "The People of India," an 1868 book with racist descriptions of ethnic groups.
- This book demonstrates how biological studies were used to justify prejudiced views.
