Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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The thesis explores notions of whiteness among three different countries, the United States, Brazil and the Netherlands through the discussion of the notion of race and post-racism. Through the...Show moreThe thesis explores notions of whiteness among three different countries, the United States, Brazil and the Netherlands through the discussion of the notion of race and post-racism. Through the notion of colourblindness in the United States, mixture in Brazil and white innocence in the Netherlands, post-racial states enhance whiteness as the superior norm to justify racial discrimination.Show less
This thesis examines the way in which the novels Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents present inequality based on disability, gender, class, religion and race and critically examines the...Show moreThis thesis examines the way in which the novels Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents present inequality based on disability, gender, class, religion and race and critically examines the intersections between these socioeconomic inequalities. This thesis focuses on the concept of change. Butler utilises science fiction — the genre of change — to critique social inequality on the basis of disability, gender, class, religion and race by founding Earthseed — the religion of change. Intersectionality is a tool, or lens, that aids in achieving change.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
closed access
Colorism, an issue that can be dated back thousands of years ago, is an issue of big importance in the present day. People will often compare it to racism, and although it has its similarities, it...Show moreColorism, an issue that can be dated back thousands of years ago, is an issue of big importance in the present day. People will often compare it to racism, and although it has its similarities, it is not the same. There is a global preference for lighter skin, which affects people not only socially, but also economically. The color of one's skin affects their day-to-day life and is other than skin tone, strongly connected to gender and class. Specifically looking at Asian societies, the preference for a lighter skin has existed for a long time, but got stronger and developed further ever since Western colonization and their ideas of race and skin color. In the modern day these skin color ideals keep getting reinforced, not only by Western influences, but also by inter-Asian influences. The idea of "beauty" in Asia is having a lighter skin tone and even having certain Western facial features, as their desire is to look like "high-class Asians" (and thus not necessarily to look white). These beauty ideals keep getting reinforced by media and popular culture, and has a big impact on Asians, especially young Asian women. This causes many Asians to bleach their skin, sometimes even when they know it can be harmful to their physical health as they believe the benefits of having a lighter skin outweighs the potential risks. Colorism is not an often talked about issue and is not a widely known topic, even though it affects so many people’s lives every single day. It is a complex concept that is intersectional and has many causes and effects.Show less
An in-depth analysis of the linguistic features and the use of verbs and adjectives in fantasy literature was done to establish whether gender, culture, and time had any influence in relation to...Show moreAn in-depth analysis of the linguistic features and the use of verbs and adjectives in fantasy literature was done to establish whether gender, culture, and time had any influence in relation to character related verbs and adjectives. The analysis is based on two different female authors: Nalini Singh and Sarah J. Maas. The two authors were born into different cultures, are from different ethnicities, and are part of different generations. A sample of passages was selected from several of their published works which contain descriptions of the characters’ personality and appearance, and/or contains verbs that describe actions performed by or to the protagonist. Verbs and adjectives that met the criteria were analysed and divided into different categories, such as transactive/non-transactive, and descriptive/non-descriptive adjectives. The sets of data were compared to each other and analysed based on prior research in order to determine which author could be considered to be more progressive and why.Show less
This thesis focuses on the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido Japan, and how they were represented in visual sources from the early modern period. The analysis features twelve prints and...Show moreThis thesis focuses on the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido Japan, and how they were represented in visual sources from the early modern period. The analysis features twelve prints and scrolls that show the Ainu as inferior or 'other' to their Japanese neighbors. Furthermore, the sources involve the concepts of racial stereotyping and power conflicts.Show less
How did racialized ideas about work and rest change in the Dutch East-Indies towards the end of the nineteenth century? In the Dutch colony, the idea that Javanese worker showed a natural tendency...Show moreHow did racialized ideas about work and rest change in the Dutch East-Indies towards the end of the nineteenth century? In the Dutch colony, the idea that Javanese worker showed a natural tendency for laziness and lacked the urge to improve their material condition was highly influential and repeatedly invoked to justify coercive labor practices. Whereas the Dutch used to consider Javanese’s alleged laziness as a stable and in-built feature of their inferior “race”, this study shows that they increasingly started to treat it as a by-product of their deplorable socio-economic circumstances by the turn of the century. Given that the Cultivation System (1830-1870) robbed the Javanese off the fruits of their own labor, the Dutch asserted that the natives had failed to develop the “natural” materialist urges they associated with industrial capitalism. In attempts to cure Javanese agricultural workers of their supposed indolence, the agents of capital therefore endeavored to inculcate work ethic from above via the so-called Ethical Policy of 1901. This study not only documents this discursive change, but also aims to understand and explain it. To this end, it places the historical transformation of the stereotype against the background of the racial capitalist regime change it emerged from: the shift from a system in which natives were excluded from the White economy to one in which they were demanded to assimilate. My findings fill up the empirical lacuna on the circulation of this racial-economic trope in the late nineteenth century and advances the historiography on the topic by thoroughly embedding it within Black Marxist theorizing.Show less
This thesis examines ethnic conflicts in contemporary Fiji through historicizing this social phenomenon. Considering Fiji’s colonial past and its post-colonial time, it also investigates the idea...Show moreThis thesis examines ethnic conflicts in contemporary Fiji through historicizing this social phenomenon. Considering Fiji’s colonial past and its post-colonial time, it also investigates the idea of race and its relationships between colonialism and nationalism, arguing that the racial categories used in Fiji’s ethnic conflicts were first created under several colonial practices and were strengthened during the nation-building process of Fiji. Apart from that, based on firsthand interviews with locals, this thesis proposes that the racial rhetoric mainly around indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians reflects the iTaukei-vulagi contradictions in their everyday life. This thesis also takes this ethnic tension further and connects it with a concrete case study field—the Fiji Museum—to see how this ethnic tension in Fiji has become an ideology of exclusion through nation-building processes that have permeated every aspect of Fijian society.Show less
O presente trabalho trata do tema feminismo negro no Brasil e compara a obra de uma artista literária e de uma artista visual utilizando o conceito ‘lugar de fala’ da intelectual, ativista e...Show moreO presente trabalho trata do tema feminismo negro no Brasil e compara a obra de uma artista literária e de uma artista visual utilizando o conceito ‘lugar de fala’ da intelectual, ativista e escritora Djamila Ribeiro (1980, Santos). Apesar de avanços significativos no ativismo afro-brasileiro e feminista, a questão do lugar social da mulher afro-brasileira fica sendo um ponto atual e pertinente. Conceição Evaristo, escritora afro-brasileira, e Rosana Paulino, artista brasileira contemporânea, conseguiram uma visibilidade, inclusive internacional, usando um discurso feminista negro, apesar de viverem numa sociedade extremamente autoritária, racista e patriarcal. Para estudar o ativismo artístico que ambas produzem, a presente pesquisa se enfoca na obra literária Poemas da recordação e outros movimentos (2008) e na exposição A costura da memória (2018). Ambas obras, de maneira crítica, questionam o lugar da mulher negra na sociedade brasileira. Conceição Evaristo é conhecida pelas publicações em Cadernos Negros e da escrevivência. Rosana Paulino é artista visual e se enfoca nas questões sociais, étnicas e de gênero (Paulino). O estudo de caso é original, pois, acrescenta ao debate o uso do conceito lugar de fala, proposto por Djamila Ribeiro. Além disso, o estudo é altamente atual: a situação política no Brasil exige a importância de entender essas vozes. Portanto, o objetivo desse estudo é analisar como ambas artistas através do uso do conceito da memória se apropriam de um ‘lugar de fala’ para o sujeito feminino negro e criticamente questionam estruturas de poder existentes.Show less
The cholera epidemic of 1902-1904 in Manila shares striking similarities with the outbreak of plague in Bombay in 1896, particularly in the colonial responses of the American and British...Show moreThe cholera epidemic of 1902-1904 in Manila shares striking similarities with the outbreak of plague in Bombay in 1896, particularly in the colonial responses of the American and British governments respectively. The heavily interventionist and militarist sanitary methods used by each power were masked by the façade of scientific neutrality and colonial efficiency, but each regime encountered resistance to their policies from the Filipino and Indian populations. This thesis explores and compares the plague and cholera epidemics, with an emphasis on what made each outbreak unique within its own context, and on their similarities despite the perceived difference between each colonial power. At the core of this thesis is the question of how colonial governance and indigenous responses to it were conceptualised in the context of the disease epidemics. An analysis of official government accounts of each epidemic demonstrates that, despite their claims to the contrary, colonial thinking and discrimination always undermined the scientific values that the British and American regimes so often espoused.Show less
People of African descent in the West share a similar experience of oppression through European colonization and the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Such a shared experience has led to a transnational...Show morePeople of African descent in the West share a similar experience of oppression through European colonization and the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Such a shared experience has led to a transnational black consciousness. The black scholars W.E.B. DuBois and Frantz Fanon both discussed this concept, which describes an the existence of transnational black solidarity and identity, due to the subjugation to oppression. The black race has become the subject of negative discourses, a product of white supremacy and western hegemony. This thesis is a postcolonial reading of the artworks of black American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and the Black British artist Chris Ofili, through which we explore the transnational connection among the peoples of the African diaspora. With the use of semiotic analysis, we uncover the hidden meanings within Basquiat’s and Ofili’s work, analyzing the themes of being black in the West and being black in connection to the African diaspora.Show less
This thesis explores the social landscape of nineteenth century Melaka. It surveys the various communities present and their historical roots in the region, as well the relations of these groups...Show moreThis thesis explores the social landscape of nineteenth century Melaka. It surveys the various communities present and their historical roots in the region, as well the relations of these groups with each other and the colonial regime.Show less
This project examines Tolkien's utilisation of migration in his fantasy world-building. Firstly, it explores the utilisation of Medieval tropes, themes and imagery in Middle-Earth, and how this...Show moreThis project examines Tolkien's utilisation of migration in his fantasy world-building. Firstly, it explores the utilisation of Medieval tropes, themes and imagery in Middle-Earth, and how this creates the basis for believable fictional societies. Following this, it shows how the interactions between Tolkien's societies and characters contribute to the development of Middle-Earth as a fantasy world. Finally, these insights become a lens through which to view the theme of race in Tolkien's fantasy, and show a particular conception of racial issues that repeats itself throughout Tolkien's fiction.Show less
In this thesis, the background of the modern War on Drugs in the United States is explained. Guided by the research question: ‘’How did the American Elites in the United States use the existential...Show moreIn this thesis, the background of the modern War on Drugs in the United States is explained. Guided by the research question: ‘’How did the American Elites in the United States use the existential threat of drugs to securitize racial minorities between 1873 and 1938?’’, this thesis is written. By analyzing 12 articles of the New York Times, guided by the principles of the social constructivism and securitization, the thesis tries to prove racist motives in the War on Drugs. Between 1875 and 1937, three populations have been subject of racism, with drugs as an excuse to hide these racist motives. By linking opiates to the Chinese population, the American Elites found an excuse to discriminate the Chinese population by means of drugs legislation between 1875 and 1900. Shortly after, crack cocaine was heavily illegalised, since it could be linked to the Black population using it. From the 1920's on, Mexicans and Marijuana were closely framed together, before Marijuana legislation passed in Congress. This thesis proves that a collaboration between the New York Times and powerful actors in the United States resulted rather in a war on race instead of a War on Drugs.Show less
Right-wing populism is becoming increasingly popular in Western Europe, this is also evident when looking at the Netherlands. Geert Wilders, party leader of the Partij Voor de Vrijheid (PVV), has...Show moreRight-wing populism is becoming increasingly popular in Western Europe, this is also evident when looking at the Netherlands. Geert Wilders, party leader of the Partij Voor de Vrijheid (PVV), has been the face of right-wing populism in the Netherlands for a long time, however, it seems that he has now been replaced by Thierry Baudet. Baudet is the party leader of the Forum voor Democratie (FvD), the two-year-old party has managed to win the provincial elections back in March of this year. With the rise of right-wing populist rhetoric, also the exclusion of people has become prominent. This thesis aims to research and analyse how the rhetoric of contemporary right-wing parties contributes to discrimination and xenophobia in the Netherlands.Show less
“Colorism”, the unofficial term for discrimination or preferential treatment not based on the construct of “race”, but based on skin color, is a term created by writer Alice Walker in 1982....Show more“Colorism”, the unofficial term for discrimination or preferential treatment not based on the construct of “race”, but based on skin color, is a term created by writer Alice Walker in 1982. Although the term is reasonably new, the construct it represents is not. At the intersection of race, class and gender there is the construct of “colorism”which has for hundreds of years influenced Blacks in America. It is the construct of “colorism” of African American women within the Black American community in the early twentieth century during the New Negro Movement or Harlem Renaissance which I have examined in this MA thesis. Focusing on the writings, and imagery from the covers and advertisements of the highly influential Crisis Magazine when created and under the leadership of scholar and activist W.E.B Du Bois from 1910 until 1934, and supported by theories on race and whiteness, I have researched the dominant middle class Black beauty ideals of the early twentieth century, through the “passing” narratives and images of "black" women in the magazine.Show less
This thesis is looking to examine the role of race in politics by looking at the 2008 presidential campaign, from the moment Obama announced his candidacy in February 2007 to the election night in...Show moreThis thesis is looking to examine the role of race in politics by looking at the 2008 presidential campaign, from the moment Obama announced his candidacy in February 2007 to the election night in 2008. The focus of the racial discourse lies in this period of Obama’s campaign, ending on election night. As the concept of new race politics was coined after the win, we will evaluate its effects during the campaign. By focusing solely on the campaigning period, an analysis can be made on how the candidacy was influenced by race and by extension how the perception of the role of race in politics changed. Ultimately, the question that this research is looking to answer is: “To what extent has Barack Obama’s presidential election in 2008 led to a change in perception of the role of race?”Show less
This thesis discusses the relationship between Jews in British Dominions and Jews in the Metropole, through looking at the major Jewish institutions. This thesis argues that Jewish institutions...Show moreThis thesis discusses the relationship between Jews in British Dominions and Jews in the Metropole, through looking at the major Jewish institutions. This thesis argues that Jewish institutions responded to their ambivalent position within British Imperial racial taxonomies through adopting a form of British identity, in order to gain access to the social and political benefits entailed by whiteness.Show less
Since its first airing in 1966, the television series Star Trek has become a worldwide phenomenon. Over the last five decades, Star Trek has mirrored and reflected on many socio-political...Show moreSince its first airing in 1966, the television series Star Trek has become a worldwide phenomenon. Over the last five decades, Star Trek has mirrored and reflected on many socio-political developments in American culture. Two critical socio-political aspects of post-war American culture that are explicitly explored within the various incarnations of Star Trek are the changing roles and identities available to women as well as concerns about the increasing complexity of racial identities in an increasingly multi-cultural and multi-ethnic America. This thesis explores the themes of gender and racial identity in three generations of the Star Trek series: The Original Series (1966-69), The Next Generation, (1987-94) and Discovery (2017-18).Show less
