Race in Early Modern Europe

I found the presentation on Tuesday so interesting. They all did a really great job. I felt like I really understood the issue of race in that period of time. It's hard to believe that simple words can spark such strong and dangerous feelings.

I found it especially surprising that "race" wasn't just considered the color of one's skin or their ethnicity, but more their religious standing. It was more to hate one for their nationality, almost--unless of course they were willing to give up their beliefs for yours. However, this also made me wonder... If "blackamoors" could convert and "change" who they were in front of God and the English, why was it so different for Jews? Why was it such a big deal that they were Jewish at one time, even after converting? Like the physician to the queen accused of plotting to kill her, why was he suddenly Jewish again?

It was also strange to think of how much they treasured their pet-servants. They dressed them in fine clothing and gave them Christian names. Why was it so great to have a darker servant? Why put them in plain view? Why did it cost so much to own, clothe, and christen something that was, in theory, worth so much less as a human than oneself? Just something to think about...

I found these images while doing an image search, then lost my link... It's so amazing to see the contrast in messages between these works. While the last two show a subservient "blackamoor", overpowered by the Christian male, the first show them as the focal point of their very own portrait. What could the artist have thought of the issue of race back then? What was he trying to say?