For centuries societies around the world have acknowledged and, in one way or another, lent their support to the idea that individual human beings are categorized by their ethnicity, or race. This notion continues to be supported throughout history and modern times causing reoccurring upheavals and the passing or repeal of laws and regulations even today. However, understanding the course that the concept of racism has taken throughout history is key to understanding how it effects us today. This helps make it possible to celebrate racial similarities, as well as differences that make each person a unique part of the human race.
In ancient times, racial ethnicity had little to do with status. In fact, status was widely recognized by social standing. For example, the marriage of John Rolfe and Pocahontas was controversial during it‘s time due to the fact that she was a Princess to her people, where he was a commoner to his. It was their differences in social status that created such an uproar in both communities, not that he was European or she Indian. Slavery in America began with indentured servants (laborers under contract in exchange for food, land, etc.) serve as a precursor to ‘non-white slavery‘. These servants were poor Europeans, who often ended up under contract indefinitely. It wouldn’t be until the rise of African American slavery in America that the term ‘race’ would acquire distinct recognition in society.
The Public Broadcasting Service recently created an interactive website regarding the issue of race. The purpose of this website is to educate society about the real differences that separate human beings and show viewers that physical characteristic are not indicative of race, and help the audience understand the history of race. Research on the human body (from DNA to skin tone) has made it possible for people to understand that there is no scientific basis for the concept of race. In other words, race is simply another word for ‘stereotype‘. In fact, the PBS website claims there is more diversity within a race than between them. However, with racism and stereotyping being so engrained into modern society, it leaves an individual to wonder if there ever can be a world without ‘race’. Perhaps it has become a fundamental part of each individual.
Everyday people are faced with the issue of racism. Many believe they are not racist, but there are others who believe that is not probable. To them racism shows itself in numerous ways, often so subtle that it goes unnoticed. An article in Newsweek, written by Carol Paik, discusses seemingly harmless interaction, when examined closely enough, reveals hidden tendencies for all humans to see people through racial lenses, rather than seeing the individual. She is Korean-American and at times has been mistaken for another Asian or Korean. This bothered her until she mistook a strangers child for her own. The stranger was Caucasian, but the child was Asian. She urges the reader to take a closer look, as well as asking those who have been victims of racism to realize that others may simply be ‘distracted, overeager, careless, tired’, not necessarily meaning harm. On the other hand writer Kent Garber reports a case where a black professor at Columbia University found a noose hanging from her office door. There have been other reports of nooses being found in Louisiana, Connecticut and New York. The noose itself symbolizes the segregation that existed between the whites and blacks in previous decades, saying the hate is still alive.
The concept of race has taken on a connotation all it’s own. It’s meaning is a mix of human emotions from hatred to anger to tolerance to acceptance. The word itself gives the spine rigidity, often accompanied by defensiveness. When you look at it’s place in history and throughout daily life, you can see what race really is. A sate of mind.
Works Cited
Public Broadcasting Services. “Race - The Power of Illusion.” California Newsreel. Ford Foundation. 2003. March 16, 2008. http://www.pbs.org/race.
Garber, Kent. “Nationwide, a Noose too Far.” U.S. News & World Report. Vol. 143 (2007) p12.
Paik, Carol. “I’m Not What You Think Of Me.” Newsweek. Vol. 151. (2008): p 20.
In ancient times, racial ethnicity had little to do with status. In fact, status was widely recognized by social standing. For example, the marriage of John Rolfe and Pocahontas was controversial during it‘s time due to the fact that she was a Princess to her people, where he was a commoner to his. It was their differences in social status that created such an uproar in both communities, not that he was European or she Indian. Slavery in America began with indentured servants (laborers under contract in exchange for food, land, etc.) serve as a precursor to ‘non-white slavery‘. These servants were poor Europeans, who often ended up under contract indefinitely. It wouldn’t be until the rise of African American slavery in America that the term ‘race’ would acquire distinct recognition in society.
The Public Broadcasting Service recently created an interactive website regarding the issue of race. The purpose of this website is to educate society about the real differences that separate human beings and show viewers that physical characteristic are not indicative of race, and help the audience understand the history of race. Research on the human body (from DNA to skin tone) has made it possible for people to understand that there is no scientific basis for the concept of race. In other words, race is simply another word for ‘stereotype‘. In fact, the PBS website claims there is more diversity within a race than between them. However, with racism and stereotyping being so engrained into modern society, it leaves an individual to wonder if there ever can be a world without ‘race’. Perhaps it has become a fundamental part of each individual.
Everyday people are faced with the issue of racism. Many believe they are not racist, but there are others who believe that is not probable. To them racism shows itself in numerous ways, often so subtle that it goes unnoticed. An article in Newsweek, written by Carol Paik, discusses seemingly harmless interaction, when examined closely enough, reveals hidden tendencies for all humans to see people through racial lenses, rather than seeing the individual. She is Korean-American and at times has been mistaken for another Asian or Korean. This bothered her until she mistook a strangers child for her own. The stranger was Caucasian, but the child was Asian. She urges the reader to take a closer look, as well as asking those who have been victims of racism to realize that others may simply be ‘distracted, overeager, careless, tired’, not necessarily meaning harm. On the other hand writer Kent Garber reports a case where a black professor at Columbia University found a noose hanging from her office door. There have been other reports of nooses being found in Louisiana, Connecticut and New York. The noose itself symbolizes the segregation that existed between the whites and blacks in previous decades, saying the hate is still alive.
The concept of race has taken on a connotation all it’s own. It’s meaning is a mix of human emotions from hatred to anger to tolerance to acceptance. The word itself gives the spine rigidity, often accompanied by defensiveness. When you look at it’s place in history and throughout daily life, you can see what race really is. A sate of mind.
Works Cited
Public Broadcasting Services. “Race - The Power of Illusion.” California Newsreel. Ford Foundation. 2003. March 16, 2008. http://www.pbs.org/race.
Garber, Kent. “Nationwide, a Noose too Far.” U.S. News & World Report. Vol. 143 (2007) p12.
Paik, Carol. “I’m Not What You Think Of Me.” Newsweek. Vol. 151. (2008): p 20.
No comments:
Post a Comment