A Different Mirror Chapter Summary

In the beginning of English colonization, the English already brought to their minds the perception of “civilization.” For English, being civilized means knowing how to properly use the land, being organized, having a self-control, and being a Protestant. Before African slaves were brought to America, the English had to deal with the Irish and Native Americans. The English did not like the Irish because they were “viewed as a people living outside of “civilization”” (Takaki 29). They were viewed this way due to the fact of herding sheep only and not establishing towns or villages on their land, and because they were not Protestants. The Irish were also described as lazy and reluctant to work for their own food. Because of this, the English were brutal and started killing Irish people. Another group the English had to deal with were the Native Americans. The English viewed Native Americans as savages because of their clothing, lack of Christian belief, and being wild. As a result, this also created conflicts between the English and Native Americans. And in August 20, 1619, the slave trading ship arrived which brought the Africans to America. The introduction of African slaves into Jamestown, Virginia labor force in 1619 influenced the views on race and class in America by creating racial discrimination and racism. …show more content…
In the book, “A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America,” Takiki states “In the English mind, the color black was freighted with an array of negative images: “deeply stained with dirt,” “foul,” “dark or deadly” in purpose, “malignant,” “sinister,” “wicked”” (50). This means that the English judged Africans negatively by their physical characteristics. The English immediately thinks that an African should be slave and has no right to be free just because of what they believe the color “black” represents in their