Throughout the history of organized civilization there has always been some type of social hierarchy. Within European history it was usually non-Christian’s that were subject to oppression and enslavement but as time progressed and European expansion made its way to American soil there was, “a shift in the conception of race from an ascribed identity defined by the non-biological criteria of religion and other alterable cultural traits to one defined by the biological criteria of seemingly immutable heritable traits” (Foote, pg7). In hope of preserving the social structure in revolutionary New York, the ruling elite used black slavery and anti-black racism to create a false sense of unification between themselves and the majority of the population.
I feel this argument is appropriate for the time frame. During this revolutionary period being faced with a hot blooded lower class demanding independence, the elite had to make sure commerce in their cities could continue to operate while they were at battle with their mother country. As sad as it is, the idea of superiority of race kept most New York citizens from questioning the government, furthermore safeguarding the upper class’s financial interests. Even though race has no “biological validity” (Foote, pg 8 ) it was used to legitimize the actions of many, especially the elite’s oppression against all non-white peoples.
The history of the current United States of America is directly related to the slave trade of the colonies. The economy of the colonies relied upon the commodities imported and exported. From furs and spices to slave trade. If there was no slave trade, who knows what the USA would have wound up being today. This argument is is a 9 out of 10, due to most part that it’s a main reason to the start of the Civil War.
I accept the premise of how this argument proves that the elite used a biological criteria to define race and implemented racism to keep a common ground with citizens that could affect their position. It holds heavy historical significance as slavery is a long standing issue in America’s history and i give it an 8 out of 10 in the essence that it hints a fact that minority groups helped evolve NYC.