Scientific Racism: A history

Join us for an in-depth look at the history of science in an evening of open and frank discussion in small groups. Historians, geneticists and scientific objects from history help you investigate the role of science in the system of slavery, domination and power.

Historical objects from the Science Museum collections will be on display before the event starting and will be used during discussion. Find out from curator Katie Maggs and Dana Centre audience panel member Cindy Soso how they embody the practice of scientific racism in the late nineteenth century, and tell us what you think.

Paul Obinna gives us an idea of the historical context of scientific racism. Where did the concept of race come from? How and why did nineteenth century science divide people into races?

Caroline Bressey uses the example of ex-slaves William Hunt and James Cross as an illustration of scientific racism in Victorian England, where black people challenged anthropologists' categorisation of them as 'inferior.'

Meanwhile Kevin Farmer highlights the process of slavery in Barbados as a trans-Atlantic case study in scientific racism. He'll discuss how sugar transformed the landscape into uniform, measured and scientifically managed slave plantations.

Steve Jones looks at the history of genetics. Where did it come from? How has the eugenics movement of the twentieth century informed our modern practices? And can the process of genetics be racist?

This event is part of Black History Month 2007.

videos

Missed the event? Watch the videos below to get a feel for what went on. Clips feature speaker contributions, what the audience thought and an explanation of Science Museum objects that were displayed.

Speakers

Caroline Bressey, co-curator, London and Slavery Gallery Museum, Docklands
Kevin Farmer, curator of History/Archaelology, Barbados Museum and Historical Society
Steve Jones, Professor of Genetics, UCL
Katie Maggs, curator, Science Museum
Paul Obinna, Obi Developments Ltd.

Facilitator: Deborah Gabriel, Editor, Black Britain

This event is part of Audience-led programme