As we discussed the topic of race in class this week, we learned that race is truly nothing. It is a man-made invention to help attain and maintain power and there is no actual biological differences between different “races.” However, I was misinformed, and I always considered there to be two main races in America : black and white (although this is an extremely naïve conclusion). My mother would always tell me to use the term African-American instead of black to be more politically correct. But after our many heated discussions, I have realized that African-American is not an accurate term. These people were born and raised in America, and are culturally completely American. My family came from Russia not too long ago, and you don’t see people referring to me as Russian-American. Sure, some may have come over from Africa but some have families that have been here for hundreds of years. And in the long run, aren’t we all from Africa and thus all “African-Americans?”
But on the other hand, black doesn’t seem right either. Skin comes in many different shades, you can’t just put people into one of two categories : black and white. So, are they black or African-American? Neither. I think the first step in breaking down and diminishing the distinguishes between race is not labeling people. Race is really nothing. And once we stop using words that separate us and imply “otherness, we can finally begin our descent into a truly raceless society,
I disagree when you say that race is "nothing." Race definitely is something. Race does separate (as you say) two humans, yet that is not necessarily a bad thing. It does not lessen any person from another. Rather, it stands to distinguish people from one another. Why do we need that? I truly don't know. I mean, our eyes distinguish different colors. Like, red, orange, yellow, green, blue....they are all noticeably different. So are races: asian, caucasian, african-american, indian. Yet one race isn't any less than another. Red isn't any better than blue, right?
ReplyDeleteVal, Good job overall with your blog. (I especially applaud your music taste!). Your meta-post is thoughtful and you nicely self-diagnose your strengths and weaknesses. The part about the commentators is especially interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis post is a good extension of our class discussion, but it'd be nice to anchor your thoughts in an additional text of some kind. Where are "racial terms" used? By whom? Can you offer a concrete example that you have witnessed to buttress your claims?
Val: FYI
ReplyDeleteI think the above comment is from Doc OC operating under a pseudonym!