>
>
>We are convenient to have around, aren't we?
>
Mark
This is a little off the point but I mention it for what its worth - I came
across a description of French peasants by a member of the ruling class (I
could look it up but That Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman is so long, it
would take ages to locate the quotation) it spoke of the peasant class (same
race) in terms that made it clear they were considered less than human and
reading it, it struck me that (to paraphrase) if black people didn't exist,
it would be necessary to invent them. And you could probably substitute Jews
or gypsies or any other group which fills that position of scapegoat/
oppressed class.
In this context, I also recall a description of the Irish by Henry Parkes, a
leading Australian politician at the end of the 19th century. Can't remember
the precise wording but it was along the lines of - drunken, lazy,
emotional, rebellious, no respect for private property, criminal etc. I use
it as a starting point for classes on stereotypes as it could so easily be
Kooris or native Americans or African Americans being described by a racist
politician or... It's also interesting to reverse the stereotype - you come
up with the sort of image the Anglo establishment liked to think it
reflected i.e. sober, industrious, law-abiding...
Geraldine
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