Racism: A History

Reaching back across the centuries, this often distressing BBC history documentary sheds light on attitudes toward human differences. What was the significance of the Bible in the evolution of European concepts of race? How did bigotry entwine with fervent capitalism to fuel the transatlantic slave trade? And why did racist ideas appear in work by thinkers such as Aristotle and Kant?

During the 19th century, racial categorization took on a pseudoscientific stance, with the abhorrent approach of eugenics and discredited practices like phrenology. This often distressing BBC history documentary shows how the academic racism of the period helped to spread imperialism. How often were ideas surrounding racial superiority a convenient way to achieve political and economic advances?

This often distressing BBC history documentary concludes by looking at more modern examples of racism, from the terrorism of Jim Crow in the United States to the exploitation of the Belgian Congo where 10 million people were slaughtered. Even after the vicious racist policies of the Nazis were exposed, racism in places such as South Africa was overlooked. Can racism ever be eradicated?