Racism has historical roots in the European colonialism, that started more than 400 years ago. It had serious consequences for societies and nations all over the world. Western empires grew in wealth and power because of their exploitation of their colonies around the world. In the beginning European traders got gold and land in exchange for glass pearls and other worthless items. Later the Europeans conquered large areas of land and made them into colonies. The native people served as slaves or cheap labour on the land that had once belonged to themselves, or were were brought back to the empires and sold as slaves. In some areas the entire native population was wiped out or driven away.

Photographer: Jacob Holdt

Read more about:

The first slaves, the intelligence theory and racist organizations such as Ku Klux Klan.

How racism arise | Racism around the world | The opinions of a racist person | The history of racism |