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The Politics of Race and Racialisation in the Middle East: Ethnic and Racial Divides

Isaiah Price

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Published in The Politics Of Race And Racialisation In The Middle East (Ethnic And Racial Studies)

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The Middle East is a region with a long and complex history of ethnic and racial diversity. The region has been home to a wide range of different peoples, from the indigenous Arabs and Persians to the later arrivals of Turks, Mongols, and Europeans. This diversity has given rise to a complex web of ethnic and racial relations, which have often been shaped by political and economic factors.

The Concept of Race

The concept of race is a social construct that has been used to classify people into different groups based on their physical characteristics. However, there is no scientific basis for the concept of race, and it is now widely regarded as a harmful and outdated way of thinking about human diversity.

The Politics of Race and Racialisation in the Middle East (Ethnic and Racial Studies)

by Burcu Ozcelik

4.7 out of 5

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In the Middle East, the concept of race has been used to justify a wide range of discriminatory practices, from slavery to segregation. However, it is important to remember that race is a social construct, and that it has no basis in biology.

The Politics of Racialisation

Racialisation is the process of assigning racial labels to people and groups. This process can be used to create and maintain social hierarchies, and it can also be used to justify discrimination and violence.

In the Middle East, racialisation has been used to create a hierarchy of different ethnic groups. The Arabs, who are the majority population in the region, have often been seen as the superior race, while other ethnic groups, such as the Kurds, Persians, and Turks, have been seen as inferior.

This racialisation has been used to justify a wide range of discriminatory practices, including slavery, segregation, and violence. For example, during the Ottoman Empire, the Arabs were often treated as second-class citizens, and they were subjected to a number of discriminatory laws and practices.

The Impact of Colonialism

The arrival of European colonialism in the Middle East had a profound impact on the region’s ethnic and racial relations. The European powers often divided the region into different colonies, and they imposed their own racial hierarchies on the local population.

For example, in the British colony of Palestine, the British authorities created a system of racial segregation that favoured the European settlers over the local Arab population. This system of apartheid lasted until the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.

The Post-Colonial Era

The end of colonialism did not bring an end to racialisation in the Middle East. In fact, many of the racial hierarchies that were established during the colonial era have persisted to the present day.

For example, in many Arab countries, there is still a strong stigma attached to being black. This stigma is often based on the racist stereotypes that were spread by European colonisers. As a result, many black people in the Middle East experience discrimination and prejudice.

The politics of race and racialisation in the Middle East is a complex and multifaceted issue. It is a product of a long history of ethnic and racial diversity, as well as the region’s colonial past. The legacy of racialisation continues to shape the region’s present-day politics and societies.

It is important to challenge the concept of race and to reject all forms of racism and discrimination. We must work towards creating a more just and equitable world for all, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

References

Said, E. W. (1978). Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books.
Ajayi, J. F. A. (1983). The place of Africa in the world historiography. In Africa in the world (pp. 1-26). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Mudimbe, V. Y. (1988). The invention of Africa: Gnosis, philosophy, and the order of knowledge. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
Eze, E. C. (1997). Race and the enlightenment: A reader. Oxford: Blackwell.
Gilroy, P. (1993). The black Atlantic: Modernity and double consciousness. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

The Politics of Race and Racialisation in the Middle East (Ethnic and Racial Studies)

by Burcu Ozcelik

4.7 out of 5