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Department of History
Stanford University, California
(1)
The idea of racial superiority appeared simultaneously with the idea of race identity and finds its origins as soon as organized group living became the accepted mode of life. Thus this idea is found almost in every race. The Greeks called strangers and foreigners βαρβαρως. Which term then necesarily suggested their inferiority. The Chinese called their country the Middle Kingdom, while the Japanese [ ]fied theirs as the Land of Gods. The Jews considered themselves the God's Chosen People. The Germans because of their assumed superiority dreamed of Deutschland über alles. [ ] More recently the Nordic superiority is heard. The Latins insist [ ] however, do not consider insist that their genius is inferior to none.
When the West came in contact with the East the White races insisted upon their superiority over the colored races which inhabited Asia the East. Such These are some of the obvious facts relating to the idea of racial superiority.
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STANFORD UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY (2) STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA
Yet when we inquire somewhat philosophically or scientifically, [ ] the meaning of this idea of racial superiority becomes blurred. In fact I must confess my inability to render a precise definition of it, unless I attempt to do so by making some assumptions. For example, if we take a snapshot picture view of various racial groups as we find them today, we discover that the white races occupy the dominant position in the world of politics, and [ ] economics, in short, in respect to material things of life. This fact enables the White races to assume This fact enables them to assert their leadership in the world practical affairs of the world [ ] [ ]. Those of us who belong to the non-Caucasian groups enjoy the secondary position. Hence I propose that this superiority of white races is clearly evident. But is it so clear as to demand no further [ ]idation? On the contrary. I am afraid, I have made no we have not gone beyond the current
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STANFORD UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY (3) STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA
notion entertained by the average man of the street.
What we associate with race and racesuperiority belong []as a matter of fact, to this domain of culture. To begin with there is no such thing as pure race Racial homogeneity so often insisted upon, and is so often [ ] taken for granted, is more often cultural rather than racial. For example, the Jews are often said to be a pure race, but in fact, they possess no racial homogeneity But What they possess is a cultural homogeneity. So to [ ] So the attempt at a discussion of racial superiority, or for that matter, of racial inferiority, is an effort [ ing] rested on [ ] a thing that does not exist. It is not a reality.
What we really mean when we speak of racial superiority, we mean[ ] think of is in truth institutional differences possessed by the various peoples of the world - Among these institutionalized factors and facts of life may be mentioned languages, cultures, political systems and philosophyies, social & economic concepts expressed, ethical theories
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STANFORD UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY (4) STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA
and conduct and religious systems and doctrines. I may venture an opinion that the fact of race has had a [ ] little influence if any, in determining the character of these various institutionalized factors. I believe that man is primarily the creature of habituation, but I do not wish to enter here into [ ] a discussion of environment and heredity controversies.
The language is often accepted as something in the nature of cephalic index, something fixed and non fluid. But now we know now that cephalic index itself is fluid and is not a sure criterion. The Language too evolves. Japanese spoken in the 15th century is almost Greek to the Japanese of today. There are many Japanese to whom English is the mother tongue. Thus even the language is no criterion of race-identity. However, we recognize the former created by this language is our inter-racial-group association. It is this linguistic difficulty - which often creates one's conception which i[ ]table to one's [ ]. Therefore We dispose the languages of which we are ignorant as something
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STANFORD UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA (5)
beneath our consideration.
When we attain a certain degree of cultural development, or get into the habit of bragging, each insisting upon the superiority of his own. Thus the Western culture is the best according to the Westeners while Eastern culture is more satisfying to the Eastern peoples. We Some of us, however, began to feel desire that each possesses merits of worthy of ad[ ]ation by both and demerits which might be cast aside for the mutual benefit. Hence we should advantage of each other's culture to the best of our [ ]ty.
In regard to Policial system and philosophy, [ ] we fell into the habit of associating [ ] certain political systems and philosophies with racial groupings. We say , for example, that democracry is typical of the political life of Westerners while and autocracy or bureaucracy of that of Easterners. Yet it may be interesting to note in passing that in the third century B.C. Mencius taught a democractic doctrine that which the most enlightened democratic monarchist,
