The commonly used racial term “Black” has been used to describe people of African descent. Among other labels, African Americans have been given a slew of names to represent their supposedly diverse nature, such as Nigger, Colored, Negro, and African American. The term “Black,” derived from the Latin word “niger,” bestows the label of distinct membership to a racial group. It is not only a racial characteristic essential for identity but symbolically embodies degradation and negativity. Blacks have been subject not only to overt discriminatory action but to a structured institutional system that actively and passively exercises discrimination. Blacks have been subdued to a stereotypical legacy and are presently struggling with its negative backlash of effects. Blacks – and their social significance – are linked with race, racism, science, and politics.
The Emergence of Race and Biology
Within the field of natural philosophy emerged the concept of race. Racial classifications served as...
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Daugherty, B. (2012). Blacks. In: Loue, S., Sajatovic, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Immigrant Health. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5659-0_83
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