Racism is a social practice not only of present days. It has a long tradition.
Regarding the history of racism, it is obvious that its concept is not based on biological knowledge and perception. Quite the contrary, it is the result of a verbal and social construction that appeared in the 18th century at the latest.
This article focuses on the way this construction was and still is implemented in dis-courses of modern societies. Especially "degradation ceremonies" (see Garfinkel) will be taken into account when observing historical examples.