Whiteness of a Different Color Essay Example

exclude the Irish from being considered white. This notion of Irish "depravity and degradation" was widespread at the time and tied to republicanism's concept of self-governing as justification for only including specific groups within the white category. Ethel ass attempted to disprove the monogenic theory due to high levels of Irish and German immigration. Ultimately, Jacobsen notes a desire throughout history to "enumerate, describe, and ultimately rank the world's peoples." Whiteness' fluidity in America has changed over time with industrialization and immigration according to Jacobsen. To maintain control over those deemed unable to govern themselves, savagery was attributed to Irish people as seen through their demotion by society.Nobel's analysis of physical differences in features such as "rough skin," "pug skin," and a "darker tint" is supported by three photos portraying Irish people negatively. The first picture on page 200 shows a man with ape-like features, dark skin tone, and worn-out clothes carrying a club and a sack, implying similarities to black people. Similarly, on page 204, an Irishman and a black person are depicted as equally weighing on opposite sides of a scale proposing similarities between the two groups. These negative depictions of the Irish were also witnessed during the New York City draft riots of 1863 when natives portrayed them as wild Indians. However, during Johnson's presidency and presidential reconstruction, the Irish became white again to assert political power through unification. As Jacobsen notes, "race is an organizer of power" (Jacobsen, 17), demonstrating how whiteness was fluidly shown in detail through the Irish community in the 19th century. Additionally, Jacobsen examines the Jewish community who were not considered white or Caucasian due to irrational

traits associated with them.According to Jacobson (173), there is a link between how race is conceived and how it is perceived.