ABSTRACT

The concept of race can be considered in both cultural and political terms. In that regard, race has been used to create a dividing line between those who were white and those who were non-white and to determine who would and would not have political rights (and, by extension, political power). In addition, cultural traditions created and adhered to by persons of European descent have come to be the “norm,” while those from non-white races are deemed to be a less significant “other.” In the end, race (and, by extension, racism) has been constructed as a great divider and the avenue by which people of certain ethnic groups have come to be framed as inferior to whites.