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TEN THINGS
EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RACE
Our eyes tell us
that people look different. No one has trouble distinguishing a
Czech from a Chinese. But what do those differences mean? Are
they biological? Has race always been with us? How does race
affect people today?
There's less -
and more - to race than meets the eye:
1. Race is a
modern idea. Ancient societies, like the Greeks, did not
divide people according to physical distinctions, but according
to religion, status, class, even language. The English language
didn't even have the word 'race' until it turns up in 1508 in a
poem by William Dunbar referring to a line of kings.
2. Race has no
genetic basis. Not one characteristic, trait or even gene
distinguishes all the members of one so-called race from all the
members of another so-called race.
3. Human
subspecies don't exist. Unlike many animals, modern humans
simply haven't been around long enough or isolated enough to
evolve into separate subspecies or races. Despite surface
appearances, we are one of the most similar of all species.
4. Skin color
really is only skin deep. Most traits are inherited
independently from one another. The genes influencing skin color
have nothing to do with the genes influencing hair form, eye
shape, blood type, musical talent, athletic ability or forms of
intelligence. Knowing someone's skin color doesn't necessarily
tell you anything else about him or her.
5. Most variation
is within, not between, "races." Of the small amount of
total human variation, 85% exists within any local population,
be they Italians, Kurds, Koreans or Cherokees. About 94% can be
found within any continent. That means two random Koreans may be
as genetically different as a Korean and an Italian.
6. Slavery
predates race. Throughout much of human history, societies
have enslaved others, often as a result of conquest or war, even
debt, but not because of physical characteristics or a belief in
natural inferiority. Due to a unique set of historical
circumstances, ours was the first slave system where all the
slaves shared similar physical characteristics.
7. Race and
freedom evolved together. The U.S. was founded on the
radical new principle that "All men are created equal." But our
early economy was based largely on slavery. How could this
anomaly be rationalized? The new idea of race helped explain why
some people could be denied the rights and freedoms that others
took for granted.
8. Race justified
social inequalities as natural. As the race idea evolved,
white superiority became "common sense" in America. It justified
not only slavery but also the extermination of Indians,
exclusion of Asian immigrants, and the taking of Mexican lands
by a nation that professed a belief in democracy. Racial
practices were institutionalized within American government,
laws, and society.
9. Race isn't
biological, but racism is still real. Race is a powerful
social idea that gives people different access to opportunities
and resources. Our government and social institutions have
created advantages that disproportionately channel wealth,
power, and resources to white people. This affects everyone,
whether we are aware of it or not.
10.
Colorblindness will not end racism. Pretending race doesn't
exist is not the same as creating equality. Race is more than
stereotypes and individual prejudice. To combat racism, we need
to identify and remedy social policies and institutional
practices that advantage some groups at the expense of others.
RACE - The Power of an
Illusion was produced by California Newsreel in association with
the Independent Television Service (ITVS). Major funding
provided by the Ford Foundation and the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting Diversity Fund.
©
2003 California Newsreel. All rights reserved. Used with
permission. |
