European colonizers used systemic racism as a way to dehumanize indigenous peoples and justify their mistreatment. They believed that Europeans were superior to indigenous peoples based on their race and used this belief to justify their actions. Colonizers spread propaganda and stereotypes about indigenous peoples being savage, uncivilized, and in need of “civilizing” by European powers. This served as a justification for taking indigenous land, resources, and forcing them into labor or servitude. The systemic racism ingrained in colonial societies also allowed for the creation of laws and policies that further oppressed indigenous peoples, such as the denial of their cultural practices, languages, and rights. Overall, systemic racism was used as a tool to legitimize the cruel treatment of indigenous peoples by European colonizers.
