Scientific Racism

Society has long idealized science as an indisputable vehicle of objective truth. This image has given scientists significant power, including the power to shape public opinion and even to affect the formulation of public policy. Throughout history, it cannot be said that science determines politics or that politics determined science, but often the two have been intertwined (Barkan, 5). But wherever there is power, there is a possibility to abuse that power to pursue self interest. While scientists are expected to avoid bias, racist scientists have exploited the opportunity, by seeking to use erroneous data to produce results favorable to their social agenda. It is this intentional adulteration of science that racists have used in the last few centuries to dissemble their studies of racial inferiority as fact. The purpose of scientific racism is very simple. It is a deliberate attempt to justify and protect a system that allows the exploitation of " inferior " people so that " superior " people can reap economic and political rewards (Marshall, 125). In the United States, a major target of scientific racism was the black population. Both esteemed and unscrupulous scientists alike wrote and believed in these racist theories that served to justify the American system of ante-bellum slavery and post-bellum segregated education. History of Racism Contrary to popular belief, the history of racism is succinct, almost a modern invention. One might argue that the history of slavery is a thoroughly documented institution dating back to biblical times; however, discrimination based on race was never an established doctrine. Rather than biological differences, religion, culture, politics, caste or class divisions served as the basis for discrimination in ancient Greek and Roman cultures (Montagu, 37). Even in early American times 1 slave traders often found slaves to be their mental equal, while others noted the high intelligence of Native Americans (Montagu, 38). When did racism really begin to surface? " Only when voices began to make themselves heard against the inhuman traffic in slaves…supporters of slavery were forced to look about them for reasons " (Montagu, 39). Perhaps the least known fact about early American racism is its prevalence in society and its almost blind acceptance by the most distinguished scientists and politicians of the day. Though some historical figures questioned the relevancy of the inferiority of certain races in determining human rights, they did not question its accuracy. Thomas Jefferson wrote " I …