Introduction

The introduction opens with powerful quotes from African Americans who were victims of police violence, including "I can't breathe" from Eric Garner. It establishes that racial discrimination and police brutality remain serious issues for Black Americans today.

Key points:

• Ongoing segregation and discrimination faced by people of color in the US
• Particular challenges for African Americans, especially those descended from slaves
• How racism divides American society into "us" vs. "them"
• The global impact of the George Floyd case in May 2020
• Contrasts "Black Lives Matter" with Trump's "All Lives Matter" response

Quote: "I can't breathe." - Eric Garner's last words, exemplifying the ongoing threat of police violence against African Americans.

Highlight: The introduction effectively uses real quotes to humanize the issue of police brutality and racial injustice that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement.

What is Racism?

This section provides context on the concept of racism:

• Acknowledges there is no single official definition of racism
• Explains racism is widespread globally and deeply rooted in history, especially US history
• Traces early "scientific" attempts to categorize races hierarchically
• Discusses how Africans were ranked as inferior based on cultural and physical characteristics

Definition: Racism involves prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism against people based on their race or ethnicity, often rooted in beliefs about racial superiority.

Example: In 1677, economist William Petty created a hierarchical scale ranking Africans at the lowest level, deeming them less valuable than Europeans.

Vocabulary: Phenotypical - relating to observable physical characteristics resulting from genetic makeup.