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cover of episode The Whiteness Myth (Throwback)

The Whiteness Myth (Throwback)

2024/6/6
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Throughline
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A
Amanda Frost
D
David Anthony
V
Vaibhav Purandare
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旁白
知名游戏《文明VII》的开场动画预告片旁白。
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Amanda Frost: 本集探讨了巴格特·辛格·辛德的入籍案，以及此案中对"白人"定义的争议。该案反映了20世纪初期美国社会中存在的种族歧视和排外情绪。辛德试图通过证明自己是雅利安人后裔来获得入籍资格，但最终未能成功。此案也揭示了美国法律体系中对种族和公民身份的复杂理解。 David Anthony: 本集介绍了印欧语系理论及其与种族主义的关联。印欧语系理论认为许多语言拥有共同起源，但这一理论被一些人用来支持白人至上主义的观点。David Anthony 详细介绍了亚马那文化及其在印欧语系语言传播中的作用，并指出将种族特征归于古代人群是不合适的。 Vaibhav Purandare: 本集探讨了阿尔弗雷德·罗森堡如何利用印欧语系理论来支持其种族主义观点。罗森堡认为雅利安人起源于北欧，并征服了印度。他将雅利安人描述为白人至上种族，并认为印度人并非雅利安人的后裔。罗森堡的观点对希特勒产生了深远的影响，并最终导致了纳粹主义的种族灭绝政策。 旁白: 本集讲述了巴格特·辛格·辛德试图通过声称自己是雅利安人后裔来获得美国公民身份的故事，以及印欧语系理论如何被用来支持种族主义和白人至上主义的观点。从威廉·琼斯对印欧语系的发现，到纳粹德国对雅利安人血统的追寻，本集展现了语言学理论如何被扭曲和滥用，最终导致了灾难性的后果。同时，本集也探讨了现代基因学和考古学对印欧语系起源的新认识，以及对种族概念的批判性反思。 Amanda Frost: This episode explores the case of Bhagat Singh Thind and the controversy surrounding the definition of "whiteness." The case reflects the racial discrimination and xenophobia prevalent in early 20th-century American society. Thind attempted to gain citizenship by proving his Aryan ancestry, but ultimately failed. This case also reveals the complex understanding of race and citizenship within the American legal system. David Anthony: This episode introduces the Indo-European language theory and its connection to racism. The Indo-European language theory suggests that many languages share a common origin, but this theory has been used by some to support white supremacist views. David Anthony details the Yamnaya culture and its role in the spread of Indo-European languages, and points out that attributing racial characteristics to ancient populations is inappropriate. Vaibhav Purandare: This episode explores how Alfred Rosenberg used Indo-European language theory to support his racist views. Rosenberg believed that Aryans originated in Northern Europe and conquered India. He described Aryans as a white supremacist race and believed that Indians were not descendants of Aryans. Rosenberg's views had a profound impact on Hitler and ultimately led to Nazi genocidal policies. Narrator: This episode tells the story of Bhagat Singh Thind's attempt to gain US citizenship by claiming to be a descendant of Aryans, and how Indo-European language theory was used to support racist and white supremacist views. From William Jones' discovery of the Indo-European language family to Nazi Germany's pursuit of Aryan bloodlines, this episode shows how linguistic theories can be distorted and misused, ultimately leading to catastrophic consequences. At the same time, this episode also explores new understandings of the origins of the Indo-European language family from modern genetics and archaeology, as well as critical reflections on the concept of race.

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In 1923, an Indian American man named Bhagat Singh Thind told the U.S. Supreme Court that he was white, and therefore eligible to become a naturalized citizen. He based his claim on the fact that he was a member of India's highest caste and identified as an Aryan. His claims were supported by the so-called Indo-European language theory, a controversial idea at the time that says nearly half the world's population speak a language that originated in one place. Theories about who lived in that place inspired a racist ideology that contended that the original speakers of the language were a white supreme race that colonized Europe and Asia thousands of years ago. This was used by many to define whiteness and eventually led to one of the most horrific events in history. On this episode of Throughline, we unpack the myths around this powerful idea and explore the politics and promise of the mother tongue.To access bonus episodes and listen to Throughline sponsor-free, subscribe to Throughline+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/throughline.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)