Medieval Europeans did not view dark-skinned Africans as naturally inferior.
Evidence
Contrary to the opinion of many, dark-skinned African people were not always seen by Europeans as “naturally inferior” or “closer to animals” in ways that marked the discourses of racism with which we are so familiar. In fact, historical accounts exist of black African Moor soldiers and sailors in Viking sagas and early Spanish histories, and while mention is made of their appearance frightening their paler-skinned opponents, comment is also made regarding their courage, skill, and strength. No reference is made to their being “brutish,” “savage,” or any other derogatory quality—they were merely dark-complexioned opponents in battle. — Rebecca A. Martusewicz, Jeff Edmundson, and John Lupinacci, EcoJustice Education, 1119
Categorization
- XREF: Echoes earlier chapters’ point that belief patterns are politically invented, not inevitable (ch 13) — racism had a historical beginning. — connects to: Race is a culturally invented discursive category used to inferiorize groups. — Rebecca A. Martusewicz, Jeff Edmundson, and John Lupinacci, EcoJustice Education: Toward Diverse,…, 1106; Skin color seemed trivial to medieval Europeans absorbed in myths of monsters — Cedric J. Robinson, Black Marxism_ The Making of the Black…, 1748; European racial ideology predated and justified the African slave trade, not vice versa — Cedric J. Robinson, Black Marxism_ The Making of the Black…, 401 (+2 more)
- SEED: Potential classroom/essay hook: racism as a dated invention rather than an eternal human flaw, so it can be un-invented.
Broader Connections
- Skin color seemed trivial to medieval Europeans absorbed in myths of monsters
#corroborates(0.82) — Cedric J. Robinson, Black Marxism_ The Making of the Black…, 1748 - European racial ideology predated and justified the African slave trade, not vice versa
#corroborates(0.75) — Cedric J. Robinson, Black Marxism_ The Making of the Black…, 401 - A fabricated account of Africa shaped European racism more than actual observation did
#corroborates(0.75) — Ibram X. Kendi, Stamped from the Beginning, 67 - The decoupling of dark skin from African origin enables Dominican denial of African roots.
#corroborates(0.72)