Sarah Lewis, an award-winning art historian and Harvard professor, dives into the complexities of the term 'Caucasian' and its historical ramifications on American racial identity. She unpacks how this classification emerged in the 18th century and became intertwined with notions of whiteness. Highlighting the influence of P.T. Barnum’s exhibitions and the revolutionary use of photography by figures like Frederick Douglass, Lewis reveals how these narratives shaped societal perceptions of race, urging a reassessment of racial hierarchies that still resonate today.
Dr. James McCune Smith's critique of the term 'Caucasian' reveals the flawed pseudoscience underpinning racial hierarchies in 19th-century America.
Frederick Douglass utilized photography as a powerful tool to counter racial stereotypes and assert the dignity of African Americans.
Deep dives
Dr. James McCune Smith and the Shift in Racial Discourse
Dr. James McCune Smith, the first African American to earn a medical degree, played a pivotal role in shifting racial discourse in the 19th century. In crafting an introduction for Frederick Douglass's autobiography, he critiques the term 'Caucasian,' highlighting its fading relevance among ethnologists. Smith sharply observes that the concept of a superior 'white race' is based on misguided pseudoscience and suggests that historical and geographical roots of this concept should be reevaluated. His insights reflect a broader struggle against racial hierarchy, which continued to permeate American society.
The Impact of Johann Friedrich Blumenbach's Taxonomy
The work of Johann Friedrich Blumenbach profoundly influenced the conceptualization of racial hierarchy through his classifications of mankind in the 18th century. By establishing five distinct categories of race, Blumenbach attributed a sense of superiority to the so-called 'Caucasian' race based on flawed assumptions about beauty and geography. This classification created a false narrative that served to justify racial superiority in societal structures. Such misunderstandings persisted for centuries, continuing to affect racial discourse and legislation even in modern times.
P.T. Barnum and the Circassian Beauties Exhibition
P.T. Barnum's exhibition of 'Circassian Beauties' highlighted the tension between racial perceptions and societal norms in the mid-19th century. By showcasing women purportedly from the Caucasus region, Barnum tapped into the public's fascination with exoticism while challenging the constructs of racial superiority. This display drew crowds and social commentary, reflecting the broader cultural engagement with myths surrounding race. Barnum's success demonstrated how spectacle could simultaneously uphold and satirize the racial narratives of his time.
Frederick Douglass and the Power of Photography
Frederick Douglass harnessed photography to challenge racial stereotypes and redefine the representation of African Americans in the 19th century. By becoming one of the most photographed Americans of his time, he aimed to counteract dehumanizing portrayals perpetuated by the prevailing racial discourse. Douglass understood the importance of visual representation as a means to assert the humanity and dignity of black individuals. His strategic use of photography not only exposed the flaws in the racial hierarchy but also elevated the status of African Americans in the public sphere.
In the 19th Century, a war on the boundary between Europe and Asia had an unexpected effect. It caused the American public to re-examine one of the terms with which they described race: Caucasian.
Don Wildman is joined for this episode by the award-winning art historian Sarah Lewis. They explore how the term Caucasian came to be associated with whiteness, and how photography was fundamental to unpicking this myth.
Sarah is the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Humanities and Associate Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. She is also the founder of the Vision & Justice initiative and author of the book discussed here: 'The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America'.
Produced and edited by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.
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