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Who’s Black and Why?: A Hidden Chapter from the Eighteenth-Century Invention of Race is without a doubt one of the most insightful books I’ve ever read. In my post addressing the question What is Race?, I list a few works that have helped form my understanding of race. This book has been quite influential in that regard.

Drs. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Andrew S. Curran shed light on the 1741 essay contest by the Bordeaux Academy in France. These European scholars sought to solve the issue of “the ‘Degeneration’ of Black Skin and Hair” (from the Introduction). Theories that were entertained and gained notoriety included:

• Blackness is a mark given by God because of sin (e.g. the curse of Ham)
• Blackness is the result of moral degeneracy in parents
• People from Africa have darker blood, resulting in darker skin
• The skin of Black people is drier and darker because their blood is thicker

Interestingly, the editors explain that the real intent of the Bordeaux Academy in this call for essays was to find Biblical justification for classifying people into different categories or species.

Some may find this topic provocative or uncomfortable. Regardless of your interest in history or sociology, however, you will find Who’s Black and Why? to be informative and intriguing. The connections between these nascent hypotheses and the racial divisions plaguing our world today cannot be denied.

Did you know that Kathairo Solutions leads discussions on topics like the ones highlighted in this post? Contact us to learn more about coordinating a professional development or training for your organization.

Related posts

• So, You Want to be an Ally?
• What is Race?
• What is Diversity?