The level of respect given to a people hinges largely two things: Their wealth, and their military ability to threaten their neighbours.
The status east asians in the eyes of europeans didn't diminish because scientists started thinking about categorizing different lineages of humans. It diminished because europe's economic and military might skyrocketed and made the once awe-inspiring lands of the orient look weak, poor, and pathetic.
Europeans came to view the people of the region as lesser because they had BECOME lesser. It was an accurate assessment of the global power dynamic.
And that, I guess, is what 'Whiteness' is this context - the ability to accurately assess who is weak and who is strong.
The level of respect given to a people hinges largely two things: Their wealth, and their military ability to threaten their neighbours.
The status east asians in the eyes of europeans didn't diminish because scientists started thinking about categorizing different lineages of humans. It diminished because europe's economic and military might skyrocketed and made the once awe-inspiring lands of the orient look weak, poor, and pathetic.
Europeans came to view the people of the region as lesser because they had BECOME lesser. It was an accurate assessment of the global power dynamic.
And that, I guess, is what 'Whiteness' is this context - the ability to accurately assess who is weak and who is strong.