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Essay on Discrimination Due to Skin Color

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North America in modern times is viewed as a land of freedom where people of all different races live together in harmony. Discrimination due to skin color, ethnicity, gender, and sexual preference are punishable by law. With these laws in place one could argue that America was founded with the same foundation. Ironically when the European powers set out to place North America under English rule, random acts of violence and discrimination were common. While the conquest of America is thought of as being based on freedom, equal rights and liberty, evidence suggests that it was founded based on European dominance, spreading of religion, genocide, and the exploitation of slave labor. When the first waves of settlers arrived they brought …show more content…

134). In 1676 conflict arose over the killing of Indians. Facing the threats of future attacks from native, Governor Berkeley suggested that forts be built rather than sending military assistance. Angry with his poor defense idea, Nathaniel Bacon assembled and armed a local militia. Bacon and his army reaped indiscriminate acts of violence against the Indians, going against the wishes of the governor. Jamestown was burned to the ground after the governor and his supporters were forced out to the eastern shore. Nathaniel died from natural causes a month after the attack, allowing Berkeley to return to office and the rebel groups to dissipate. He did not wish to seek independence from Europe, he simply wanted to rid the office of an unworthy ruler and attack the Indians who posed as a threat. As more natives continued to cease, the Europeans begin to influx the lands with indentured servants to cultivate tobacco. Vagrant children between eight and sixteen years of age were prime targets of arrest. These children were homeless and starving allowing the Europeans to feel as if they were working towards the greater good. “The Virginia Company wanted children to work in the tobacco fields and as a part of a developing strategy to promote family life in the colony,” (Jordon, Don, Walsh, p. 78). The profit margin from tobacco, as well as the fifty acres of land “promised” for working a fixed term

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