Dehumanization of Blacks

To dehumanize means to deprive a person of human qualities, attributes, and rights. It is the psychological process of demonizing a person, making that person seem less than human and hence not worthy of humane treatment. In addition, dehumanization morally excludes individuals from the basic norms of society. In dehumanizing, one sees the other as subhuman in order to legitimize increased violence or justify the violation of basic human rights. Dehumanization has existed since races and ethnic groups culturally clashed on the soils in America. Understanding the historical implications of dehumanization through the analysis of race and gender provides a foundation for understanding complex issues surrounding the many identities in society as a whole. This entry examines the concept of dehumanization as it relates to the victimization of Blacks in American society (both physically and psychologically) and describes both historical and contemporary instances of dehumanization.

Typically, those who choose to dehumanize perceive others as a threat to their well-being, values, or position of power in society. Race, skin color, gender, and social status are attributes used by individuals to dehumanize others. These [Page 187]attributes come under attack through stereotyping, objectifying, “othering,” or all of these acts. Objectification distinguishes a person as different, inferior, or both, and is central to the process of oppositional difference. Stereotypes are oversimplified perceptions, opinions, or racial epithets about a specific ethnic or cultural group of people. People who are dehumanized are often defined as “other,” and stereotypes play a role in the objectification.

In American society, many ethnic and gender groups have been victims of dehumanization. Among those groups are Black people, who have been victims of these acts since their arrival to America in the early 1600s and who still face dehumanizing incidents today. Although there are other ethnic groups who have suffered acts of dehumanization (Native Americans, Hawaiians, Jews, Japanese, and others), Black people are the focus of this entry.