Watch Racism: A History

Name: Racism: A History
Genre: Documentary & Biography
Released: 2007-03-21
Cast: Sophie Okonedo

2007
1 Season
8.4 (150)

Racism: A History is a three-part documentary series that explores the origins and evolution of racism throughout history, from ancient civilizations to modern times. Narrated by BAFTA-winning actress Sophie Okonedo, the series delves into the complex and often uncomfortable history of racial prejudice and discrimination, examining the role it has played in shaping societies and cultures around the world.

Part one of the series, "The Color of Money," examines the roots of racism in the transatlantic slave trade and the economic systems that were built upon it. The episode explores how the slave trade led to the creation of a racial hierarchy that justified the exploitation and oppression of black people, and how this legacy has continued to shape economic disparities and inequality in modern times.

In part two, "Fatal Impact," the series explores the impact of colonialism and imperialism on race relations across the world. The episode examines how European powers justified their domination of non-white civilizations through racist ideologies, and how this legacy has led to ongoing conflict and division in many parts of the world.

The final part of the series, "A Savage Legacy," explores the legacy of racism in America, focusing on the role of slavery, segregation, and discrimination in shaping the country's history and culture. The episode examines the ongoing struggle for civil rights in America, and the ways in which systemic racism has continued to perpetuate inequality and injustice.

Throughout the series, historians, scholars, and activists offer their insights and perspectives, providing a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the complex topic of racism. The series aims to challenge viewers to confront the difficult realities of racism and to examine the ways in which it has shaped the world we live in today.

With its powerful storytelling and expert analysis, Racism: A History is an essential series for anyone seeking to understand the deep roots of racial prejudice and the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Sophie Okonedo's narration adds an additional layer of emotional resonance to the material, bringing to life the personal stories and historical events that have shaped our understanding of race and racism.

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Seasons

3. A Savage Legacy

April 4, 2007

The third and final episode examines the impact of racism in the 20th Century. By 1900, European colonial expansion had reached deep into the heart of Africa. Under the rule of King Leopold II, The Belgian Congo was turned into a vast rubber plantation. Men, women and children who failed to gather their latex quotas would have their limbs dismembered. The country became the scene of one of the century's greatest racial genocides, as an estimated 10 million Africans perished under colonial rule. Contains scenes which some viewers may find disturbing.

2. Fatal Impacts

March 28, 2007

Looking at Scientific Racism, invented during the 19th century, an ideology that drew on now discredited practices such as phrenology and provided an ideological justification for racism and slavery. These theories ultimately led to eugenics and Nazi racial policies of the master race. Some upsetting scenes.

1. The Colour of Money

March 21, 2007

The series begins by assessing the implications of the relationship between Europe, Africa and the Americas in the 15th century, it considers how racist ideas and practices developed in key religious and secular institutions, and how they showed up in writings by European philosophers Aristotle and Immanuel Kant.

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