In this episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Battalora to discuss her research on the origins of racially-based hierarchies in America, starting with the first Virginia Colony. This is a DEEP DIVE into the origin of race in the American colonies and how "catch-all" terms were invented in order to separate and discriminate privilege access among residents of the early colonies. Dr. Battalora ties today's racial classification of "white" to the aftermath of Bacon's rebellion and shows through the development of colonial law how this was done in order to create and maintain division between Africans, Europeans and the Indigenous. This show is over one hour but it will be worth every listening moment. This may be one of the most important and intriguing conversations about racial classifications of the new year!

Dr. Battalora's book-Birth of a White Nation: The Invention of White People and Its Relevance Today can be purchased with a special discount for Leading By History listeners by using this code -> ADC23 for Routledge Press.