How to conduct Interdisciplinary studies of race and ethnicity using primary sources

TY - GEN

T1 - How to conduct Interdisciplinary studies of race and ethnicity using primary sources

AU - Altink, Henrice

PY - 2024/9/11

Y1 - 2024/9/11

N2 - Interdisciplinarity is a useful approach to examine complex problems in the past, including racial and ethnic inequalities. Grounded in the history of the modern period (post-1800) and directed at history students and teachers, this essay argues that we can gain a greater understanding of how racial and ethnic inequalities emerged, were sustained, and experienced in the past, if we not only read traditional historical sources – e.g. official documents and newspapers –, but also incorporate a range of non-traditional historical sources – e.g. film and song – , and borrow tools and methods from other disciplines to analyse sources. It furthermore proposes that our knowledge of how race and ethnicity worked in the past can be enhanced if we analyse traditional and non-traditional sources within a relevant interdisciplinary theoretical framework. As race and ethnicity intersected in various and complex ways with other inequalities in the modern period, the essay recommends the use of intersectionality as a useful theoretical framework. It also encourages the use of Critical Race Theory (CRT) as it provides insights into the persistence of racial and ethnic inequalities after the adoption of race neutral legislation and policies. And finally, the essay provides suggestions on how to find non-traditional historical sources and offers some practical guidance on how this material can be used, focussing on the study of everyday racism, gender and sexuality, and the criminal justice system.

AB - Interdisciplinarity is a useful approach to examine complex problems in the past, including racial and ethnic inequalities. Grounded in the history of the modern period (post-1800) and directed at history students and teachers, this essay argues that we can gain a greater understanding of how racial and ethnic inequalities emerged, were sustained, and experienced in the past, if we not only read traditional historical sources – e.g. official documents and newspapers –, but also incorporate a range of non-traditional historical sources – e.g. film and song – , and borrow tools and methods from other disciplines to analyse sources. It furthermore proposes that our knowledge of how race and ethnicity worked in the past can be enhanced if we analyse traditional and non-traditional sources within a relevant interdisciplinary theoretical framework. As race and ethnicity intersected in various and complex ways with other inequalities in the modern period, the essay recommends the use of intersectionality as a useful theoretical framework. It also encourages the use of Critical Race Theory (CRT) as it provides insights into the persistence of racial and ethnic inequalities after the adoption of race neutral legislation and policies. And finally, the essay provides suggestions on how to find non-traditional historical sources and offers some practical guidance on how this material can be used, focussing on the study of everyday racism, gender and sexuality, and the criminal justice system.

KW - race and ethnicity

KW - history

KW - indigeinity

M3 - Other contribution

T3 - AM Research Skills

PB - Adam Matthews Digital

ER -