Racism and prejudice against African Americans in the United States can be found many years before the institution of slavery was legally defined in any state or federal law. Historical records reveal that nearly half a century before slavery was outlined in law, racism against people of color was evident. Although some modern historians may argue that racism was the result of clear codes on slavery, according to author Carl N. Degler, “if you examine the early history of slavery in the English colonies and the reaction of the English towards blacks, you find that it becomes evident that the assumption that slavery is responsible for the low social status of Negroes is questionable” (29). Slavery did not precede racism. Rather, legal slavery helped discrimination against African Americans to perpetuate and thrive from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Indeed, racism and fear of the norm are common behaviors in history. For example, the Irish in the colonies were referred to as “beyond the pale” or even “slaves” (30). The famous poet and playwright Shakespeare even referred to the African prince “Othello” as a “thing” (31). Africans were of a different culture and because of these differences they were considered an inferior race. They were destined to be slaves due to the prevailing prejudice of being labeled as “savages” in Africa. As early as 1620, “the records of Virginia and Maryland…rarely refer to 'slaves' but speak chiefly of 'negroes'” (31). The label “Negros” is not a positive term in any way. Discrimination was widespread in legal codes around the world even before the introduction of slavery. In Bermuda, “the Bermuda Assembly passed an act restraining 'the insolences of the negroes'” (32). Note the word "insolences",... in the center of the card... as well as the hatred of blacks. Southern whites, both rich and poor, looked down on Africans as the inferior race. Both felt the cerebral status of superior beings, especially the poor, who would have been the lowest class in the Southern hierarchy if slavery had never existed. An inland farmer turned to his fellow Southerners, asking, "Would you like a nigger to come near your darter [daughter]" (182-183). Recorded comments like this demonstrated the common fear of the boogeyman. Slavery played a key role not only in the economy, but also in society. Racist ideals coupled with the psychological effect of being "above" another class led to the defense of slavery by both rich and poor. Works Cited Degler, Carl N. Neither Black Nor White: Slavery and Race Relations in Brazil and the United States. New York, 1971 .