18th Century Spanish America and Race

18th Century Spanish America and Race Assess the role of the State of Spanish America in the formation of ideas about human differences prior to the 18th century. The formation of ideas about human difference has been contingent upon both fluid and persistent socio-political, historical and economic forces since globalisation arguably began with the age of discovery in the 1400’s, arguably spear-headed by the Spanish empire. This is perhaps most perceptible in the key signifiers of human social distinction. Concepts such as ‘race’ and ‘ethnicity’ appear to be static, objective human categorisations; yet, when subjected to a process of historical and geo-political scrutiny, each proves to be a subjective and poignant signifier, even a product of a process of social and historical construction and part of the production of knowledge. [1] The historical phenomenon of the Spanish State serves as an exemplar to demonstrate a convergence of ideological paradigms which shaped notions of human difference, underscoring this central contention that ideas of human difference are generated within a specific historical milieu, often involving the confrontation of two or more ethno-cultural groups. It is crucial to acknowledge that Spain’s dominance of Africa from the 15 th century and parallel conquest of Latin America was enacted with the conscious and unconscious appropriation of Eurocentric ideals which emphasised European supremacy and assumed European cultural, theological and economic superiority over Amerindians. The seeds of such national superiority have been traced to Biblical delineations of difference, [2] with its demarcation of blessed and cursed progeny, reinforced historically by medieval theological thought which associated blackness with the devil and sin, while whiteness was aligned with purity and righteousness. The widely accepted European medieval theory of ‘monogenism’, derived from the Biblical teaching of a common ancestry and fam ily tree concept of origins, gave impetus to the Spanish State’s self identity. [3] This widely accepted view within medieval Europe has been largely discredited in more recent centuries, dismissing the notion of a common human genesis. [4] The Iberian Peninsula had left a potent legacy and precedent at the conclusion of the medieval period, with Spain’s stark delineation and unyielding destruction of human difference. The pronounced ethnic diversity on the peninsula in the form of Jewish and Muslim migrants from throughout Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa, exacted a Spanish definition which underlined difference rather than similarity, and in fixating upon difference, brought the reflex action of the decimation of such diversity, through a systematic, historic and prolonged practice of massacre, segregation, conversion, inquisition and expulsion. [5] Such unenlightened, barbaric and medieval practices, one may argue, left their mark on the Spanish psyche, readily appropriated by the American Spanish state, as it imported and imposed its imperialistic, paternalistic and sanctimonious practices, upon a rich diversity of Amerindian ethnic societies. This precursor to the Spanish American state illuminates the historical consciousness of the earlier Spanish rule in Europe, revealing the cultural hegemonic assumptions and practices the Spanish state appropriated from its 14 th and 15 th century European roots. [6] The early 20 th century pejorative branding of pre-eighteenth century Spain as the ‘black legend’ evokes â€Å"Spain’s colonial brutality in the Americas during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.† [7] Ironically, Spain drew condemnation from other European nations for such action, deemed to be an ignorant, superstitious and fanatical nation, incapable of entering modernity. [8] Spain’s European condemners had been equally culpable in sub-Saharan Africa, in stimulating the African sl ave trade. By casting Spain as the antithetical demon, England, France and northern Europe masked their own international sins in the process. This brief observation illustrates one process that shaped human ideas about human difference, namely, intra-cultural ignorance and an insular societal gaze which repeatedly reinforced the values, practices and beliefs of Spain’s own cultural epicentre, and in the process, defined other ethnicities by their differences and their otherness. Moreover, the Spanish American state constructed a false social hierarchy based upon religious assumptions which condemned humans living a more unencumbered and simple existence initially beyond the grasp of modern commerce and technological innovation.

Research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 12

Research paper - Essay Example A good swimming technique relies on the efficiency of one’s power transfer process by overcoming drag. Moreover, deriving maximum energy output from the effort put in is mainly the essence for swimmers to improve their performance in competitive swimming. The discussion provides a detailed technical analysis of swimming strokes – freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly, along with a review of the biomechanical principles related to each of those strokes. Furthermore, suggestions of drills or exercises for improving the favorite stroke of backstroke, based on the technical and biomechanical aspects, will also be critiqued. The basic swimming strokes of Freestyle, Backstroke, and Butterfly stroke are taken for analysis focusing on its biomechanics and technical aspects. Freestyle is generally the fastest and most popular stroke, with front crawl being the most commonly chosen among swimmers. That is, although swimmers or in particular ones in competition can choose whatever stroke they wish during the freestyle, mostly they choose front crawl which involves the swimmer circling his/her arms forward in alternation even while kicking their foots up and down. Next, the Backstroke, or otherwise the elementary backstroke is perfect for recreational and competitive arena. In this swimming stroke, the individual lies right on his back in the supine position on water and the strokes are done with one arm at a time. Last, the butterfly stroke is done on the breast, by moving both the arms and is accompanied by the dolphin kick. Unlike the other strokes, butterfly stroke is quite difficult and requires adequate practice with proper technique and strong muscle coordination. Freestyle, being the fastest stroke, would clearly improve one’s speed in swimming and this stroke is quite essential for lifeguard practices. As above-mentioned, it is characterized by stroking of the arms alternatively over the water surface, accompanied with alternating flutter kick in an

Rites of Passage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Rites of Passage - Essay Example The cost of providing subsidized housing was high therefore the state would latter change to provide a relatively cheaper ‘outdoor relief’ to disadvantaged individuals who lived with their relatives or friends. This relief worked efficiently in providing quality living standards, despite the economic depression where massive lay-off occurred resulting to high levels of unemployment of able- bodied people (Joanne, 1966). The article ‘Rites of Passage’ represents a beneficiary of public relief trying to give back to the society. Cephas Ribble, a sixty eight year old man, enters into County Department of Public Welfare with the sole intention of donating farm product to the welfare so that they foodstuff can be distributed to the poor and needy people. On arrival he seems not sure whether he is presentable or not. Additionally, the staff present in the office had the assumption that all elderly people visiting the office are in need of assistance as it had been the norm. Mr. Ribble does not realize that the public assistance once given to him no longer exists. He explains how the relief aid provided to farmers in 1934 had sustained his family. He further explains how he worked hard to buy his house and pay off the debts that his family had. He requests the woman to bring men to his truck to off load his massive food donation. However, he does not realize that laws had changed and food donations were no longer necessary. Despite his good conscience and massive donation, Cephas’s truck blocks all the workers’ cars and all workers leave the office to assist him offload. The donation suffers sharp criticism due to disorganized distribution of the food with some protesting that the food contains contraceptive medicine, others claim racism in the mode of distribution (Joanne, 1966). Mr. Cephas is a wise and