How RACISM Was Constructed

  In his piece, How Race is Made, Mark Smith contends, that vision can be blinding sometimes. That scholars and historians alike should focus on non- visual senses as well in order to gain a full "perspective" of how and where people stood in a particular place, space, or time. Moreso, how "race" came into existence based on sensory stereotypes.

  For example, black people smelled, black skin was especially thick and insensitive, black people had poor taste aesthetically and literally, they were prone to noisy outbursts, and lacked discipline to control themselves. Strangely enough, these same stereotypes are linked to African- Americans today.  They are not only characterized by these "attributes" but simultaneously demonized in attempt to justify racism. At that time, whites used these stereotypes as justification to why African Americans were treated the way they were, essentially it was for their own good.

  Race isn't something that's sensed. It cannot be based on sight, touch, or smell over reason. It's infuriating to think that no matter how qualified African Americans are the racism they encounter is based off of trivial assumptions stemmed from senses. The way a person smells, feels, or their taste does not justify any unjust treatment of those people.