Sociology Assignment: American History and the Concept of Race

This sociology assignment delves into the complexities of American history, focusing on the concepts of race and the White Man's Burden. The assignment explores how race has been used to further political and economic goals, referencing examples from a film. It then examines the Cherokee experience, comparing it to other instances of displacement and exploitation of Native American tribes. Finally, the assignment discusses the origin and implications of the White Man's Burden, analyzing its role in justifying imperialism. The provided solution offers concise answers to the questions posed, citing relevant sources to support its claims. This assignment provides a solid foundation for understanding the social and historical context of race in the United States.

university
American History
Student Credentials
3/29/2020

Sociology 1
Question 1:
Many scholars/authors/historians discuss race as an “idea” or “constructed” that was created
to “further political and economic goals.” List and discuss at least two examples of this from
the film.
Answer:
Politicians have been using race card as a medium to win or gain trust of the citizens since the
starting of the era. This has been clearly stated in the film through major two examples; one is
through certain irrelevant and without evidence scientific studies that relate white race with
positivity or such traits and Black race with negativity or such traits; another example is quite
historical, as it relates with black people being slaves in past and hence creating modern
hierarchy based on the hierarchy then, as in placing white people on top and black people on
the bottom (Herbes-Sommers et al., 2003).
Question 2:
Discuss the story of the Cherokee. How is it similar and/or dissimilar to other “American
stories?”
Answer:
Most of the American stories are the ones where Americans with display of intention of
helping, have always taken advantage of the native tribes. The story of Cherokee is quite
similar to the one stated. This native tribe was one of the hundreds who were forced to move
from the land they occupied for the white people to claim total control over Whole United
States.

Sociology 2
Question 3:
What is the “White Man’s Burden?” How did it become popularized as a term/concept?
Answer:
‘The White Man’s Burden’ was a term that got famous after the phrase was used as a title of
Rudyard Kipling’s poem where he justified the US’s attempts to conquer Philippines
(Kipling, 2020). This phrase became so popular because according to this the white men have
the responsibility of developing or leading the world which can be done only if these native
tribes or small nations develop surrounding them or learning from the ‘whites’.
Bibliography

Sociology 3
Herbes-Sommers, C. et al., 2003. Race - The Power of an Illusion. [Online] Available at:
https://ku.kanopy.com/product/race [Accessed 30 Mrach 2020].
Kipling, R., 2020. “The White Man’s Burden”: Kipling’s Hymn to U.S. Imperialism. [Online]
Available at: http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5478/ [Accessed 30 March 2020].