Colour
Philosopher and cultural theorist Kwame Anthony Appiah appeals for a world free of racial fixations. Recorded in front of audience at the British Council in Accra, Ghana.
The philosopher and cultural theorist Kwame Anthony Appiah argues for a world free of racial fixations.
He tells the story of Anton Wilhelm Amo Afer. He was five years old when he was brought from the Gold Coast to Germany in 1707, educated at a royal court and became an eminent philosopher. He argues that this elaborate Enlightenment experiment illuminates a series of mistaken ideas , including that there is a "racial essence" which all members of that race carry. Modern science long ago disproved this, as almost all of the world's genetic variation is found within every so-called racial group. Instead, "race is something we make; not something that makes us."
The lecture is recorded in front of an audience at the British Council in Accra, Ghana. The series is presented and chaired by Sue Lawley
The producer is Jim Frank.
Last on
Journalist Sonia Sodha reflects on the third 2016 ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Reith Lecture.
βWhy has the racial fixation become so durable?β
Kwame Anthony Appiah explores how cultural traits are often cast as racial possessions.
βRace is something we make; itβs not something that makes usβ
Philosopher, Kwame Anthony Appiah says that genes are not inherited in racial packages.
Read Kwame Anthony Appiah's third lecture, Colour.
Broadcasts
- Tue 1 Nov 2016 09:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sat 5 Nov 2016 22:15ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
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