As a means to understanding the need for Black Nationalism to come about, chapter one really focuses on the actions of the oppressors during those times. Here are some of the ideas held by Europeans about blacks which led to how they treated tehm in those times. Remeber: Thought, Word, then Deed...

1)"consequently the colonies were pools of the stereotypes and myths which legitimised the superiority of the superiority of the Anglo-saxon race. One vivid example of this pervasive trend in popular fiction is the work of G.D. Henty, who wrote a number of novels for boys. Henty praised British military valor and stated 'The intelligence of teh average Negro is about equal to that of a European ten year-old."

2)"French as well as British scientists invariably placed blacks at the bottom of the hierarchy of races. This scale was then used to explain the sluggishnes of African social development and the legitimacy of colonising it. In general Africa was put at the stage of Europe in the primeval era. In fact, as the philosopher and naturalist Levallant put it in a book written about the Hottentots, Africa offered 'an understanding of mankind in its childhood'"

3)"Likewise Gobineau, in his book entitled 'Inequality odf human Race', declared blacks to be members of the lowest chain of being. He said he saw the confirmation in history since, according to him, all civilization was due to the white race."

MY TAKE: most often focus is made on the phyical manifestations of racism, but before any action an idea is present...the question then becomes, why did this group have these ideas in the first place? according to marimba ani, in "yurugu" it is because of the cultural imperative of europeans, but that aside, i can't help but wonder how a group must fell about itself to contaminate their own "science" in order to feel superior...