I found Heng’s representation of race very interesting. Today, race is determined most often by skin color, but in the Middle Ages, race had more to do with religion and ethnicity than the color of a group’s skin. For example, in Medieval England, the Jewish people were demonized and ostracized by society due to their religion and were considered a different race even though their physical skin color often was similar or identical to that of the Christian British. Both in the Middle Ages and now, the construct of race is simply a way to divide groups of people based on their customs and beliefs even if they are similar in most aspects. Heng’s article also raised interesting points about the racism that is present in Christian iconography and texts, like the Saracens who met with King David. When they first came to see David, they were “black and blue-black as lead” (Heng 260), but their skin and hair became white when they kissed rods that were blessed by Moses. This story suggests that being white is the only way to be noble because those with dark skin are inherently evil. This idea that having dark skin is evil or bad is also present in the statue of John the Baptist being killed by an African because the African is considered to be evil for murdering someone and this evil is exemplified through their dark skin.
It is interesting that even today people associate the color white with purity and goodness. It was disturbing to me that imagery like you are describing can still be seen today in famous religious landmarks.
The article made me want to reread some of our Arthurian legend articles. I don't remember how Arthur, Lancelot, and the incredibly pure Galahad were physically described. I remember the fairy woman from Lanval being described as dressed in white, with fair skin, and blonde hair. But, I don't remember how the men are specifically described. Are they blonde? Do they have the "proper" features? We at least know that they were white which still supports the idea that being white the only way to be noble.
Great instinct! And you are, of course, correct. There's an intense focus on fairness and blondeness in Arthurian legends.
What I think is fascinating (and I'm glad Trammell mentions this in her comment) is that fact that even with such a broad definition as Heng offers, race as a category of difference not only encompasses religion and ethnicity, but also what we think of as more typical markers of race now: things like skin color or physical difference. The examples you pull are excellent on this because, for me, one of the most critical elements of Heng's work is the way it allows us as modern people to understand a much longer and more complex genealogy of racial thought. The iconography you point to from King David and John the Baptist has a clear link to racist narratives about skin color now. By seeing how old these narratives are, and by seeing the contexts in which they used to operate, I think we can get better understanding of how racist narratives operate and come into being.