How to Dismantle the Racial Hierarchy: Epilogue.

“As long as you think you’re white, there’s no hope for you.”

Photo by Johnny Silvercloud. Shutterstock.

The social construct of a “white people” was created by Euro-American aristocracy and sanctioned by colonial law following Bacon’s Rebellion (1675–1676) for the specific purpose of dividing people by skin colour in order for aristocracy to generate and safeguard wealth in perpetuity. Prior to this, “white people” grouped as a “white race” did not exist.

Fundamental to this divide and conquer strategy are: 1) the elimination of one’s organic European identity by grouping these individuals and labeling them as “white” 2) manufacturing a Racial Hierarchy elevating the white “racial” group by legally affording rights and privileges prohibited to “non-whites” thereby creating 3) a “white racial” group identity defined by a “white group” socialization that incorporates anti-blackness.

The transformation of America as a republic that fulfills its Constitutional written promise will not be accomplished without a fundamental analysis of the core American “white” identity; specifically, what does it mean to be a “white” American and what is the “white” American identity? Until this analysis occurs across every academic setting in America, human bodies regarded as “white people” will remain clueless as to who they truly are and they will continue to perpetuate an identity that is pathological by design.

Dereck Chauvin, for example, the ex-police officer in Minneapolis who murdered George Floyd, a Black man, while on-duty, thinks he is a “white person” and a member of a “white race.” Dereck Chauvin’s mother, who howled in Court at sentencing, about how much she will miss her favorite son in prison without a peep of concern about her son’s actions on Mr. Floyd or his family, also thinks she is a “white person” and a member of a “white race.” This is why neither of them feel any remorse or empathy for George Floyd and the Floyd family. And they never will. Their indoctrinated white American identity forbids this. White American identity, at its basic moorings, was created and designed to dehumanize Black people, hence, James Baldwin’s sad but insightful proclamation.

At present, the powers pushing back on Critical Race Theory are doing so to stop American school children of European descent from understanding who and what they are. Why? Because if they understood that they are not “white people” and are not members of a “white race” then the social construct of the Racial Hierarchy loses its power to dehumanize. And if the Hierarchy can no longer serve its dehumanizing role and purpose, then the politicians, benefactors and beneficiaries of perpetual wealth can no longer use the manipulative power of the Hierarchy to serve their quest for power, wealth and control over other human beings.

Change can only occur if one understands that change is needed. Teaching Critical Race Theory to American school children, particularly of European decent, allows the opportunity for them to at last be freed of an identity imbued with the dehumanizing properties of a Racial Hierarchy.

A DIFFERENT PERCEPTION

Critical Race Theory gives voice to the perception of American history from the perspective of “the other.”

Take the story of William Trent for example.

Trenton, New Jersey, the State Capitol, is named after William Trent, a Scottish immigrant.

American history must be taught from all sides of the coin. The nation will not evolve without a critical analysis fundamental to the inherent identity of its citizens and its governing and economic institutions. Photo by author.

American history books glorify Trent’s actions, and many more male European immigrants like him, as they represent the economic foundation of the republic. But the history books are wholly non-analytical and in contempt of any discussion that fosters recognition of an identity created by the inherent racial animus corresponding to this foundation.

Trent was a Scottish immigrant who came to the colonies in the 1690’s. Trent’s trading operation involved over 40 ships that moved furs, wine, rum, molasses, tobacco, and people. His wealth provided ownership of land throughout Pennsylvania and Philadelphia political power. What the history books don’t glorify is the fact that Trent got rich in the slave trade.

In 1714, Trent bought a huge tract of land from the Quakers and started building a country house in the western part of New Jersey known at the time as Falls of the Delaware. He moved into the house with his wife and children in 1721. Trent quickly became active in State politics and was elected to the New Jersey Assembly and appointed as Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court. He was so well known that people began referring to the settlement surrounding his mansion as “Trent’s town,” which was shortened to Trenton.

The Trent House. Built by the hands of slaves. There are hundreds if not thousands of “Trent” stories that form the foundation of America. Photo by author.

Trent died on Christmas Day 1724 from a “fit of apoplexy,” or what might today be considered a stroke. His date of birth is unknown, so historians can only estimate that he was between 58 and 69 at the time of his death.

Years later, in March of 1737, three African slaves were arrested in Trenton and accused of a number of poisonings. One of their alleged victims, whose death was presented as proof of their guilt, was William Trent. The slaves were found guilty and hanged.

“Crossroads of the American Revolution” The Trent House. Photo by author.

The history books gloss over the fact that not only did Trent gain wealth by trading enslaved Africans but he also owned 11 slaves that worked on this property in New Jersey. I am aware that there has been recent interest as to who those 11 slaves were but there is nothing known about them as far as I can tell. This is a history yet to be uncovered and told.

The Trent House in Trenton, New Jersey. Built by the craftsmanship Black African slaves. Photo by author.

I am astonished at how few people are even aware that wealthy land owners in the State of New Jersey owned slaves let alone understanding that “white” men throughout all of the colonies became wealthy by trading, dealing and owning Black African slaves.

This is the “why?” to the hate. White American identity was formulated and designed to be an agent of hatred in order to perpetuate and secure wealth. Its not that these men did not understand what they were doing. They didn’t care. These wealthy men were well aware that they were engaged in a profit making enterprise designed to thrive from dehumanizing people of color. And this racial animus will forever be the interwoven fabric to the makeup of white American identity. This identity itself, manifests the social construct known as the Racial Hierarchy; an inseparable product of greed, power and control.

Grounds of The Trent House. Observe the craftsmanship of the wrought iron fencing integrated with bricks laid by the hands of African slaves. White American identity was formulated and designed to be anti-Black in order to perpetuate and secure wealth. In American history books, Trent, and many more male European immigrants like him, represent not only the economic foundation of the republic, but its corresponding identity of racial animus as well. Photo by author.

If the Racial Hierarchy is to be dismantled, then education must speak to why the social constructs of a human hierarchy and race were created; what their purpose is with analysis extended into how their origins continue to infiltrate present day American psyche.

There are a number of excellent articles that discuss Critical Race Theory on Medium. I strongly encourage you to read them:

“Critical Race Theory: What They Don’t Want Your Kids to Know” by William Spivey

“Critical Race Theory is Coming to a School Near You” by Allison Gaines

“Opponents of Critical Race Theory Don’t Even Know What It Is” by Scott Woods

“What Would James Baldwin Say About Critical Race Theory?” by William Spivey

“White People’s Fear of Critical Race Theory is Based in Ignorance.” by Allison Gaines

“When the Truth Hurts: The 1619 Project and America’s Schools” by L.A. Justice

“Insecure Politicians Fear the Effects of Exposing the Truth About Racism” by Jeanette C. Espinoza

References regarding the Racial Hierarchy series:

How to Dismantle The Racial Hierarchy: Part I.

How To Dismantle The Racial Hierarchy Part II: A Racial Identity Is A Pathological Identity.

How To Dismantle The Racial Hierarchy Part III: The Language of White Supremacy Is Race.