"Humans are one of the most genetically homogeneous species we know of. There's lots of genetic variation in humanity, but it's basically at the individual level. The between-population variation is very, very minor."-Alan R. Templeton, Ph.D., professor of biology in Arts and Sciences
First we
have to address the term "Race" and why is it still used today even
though the science community has always demonstrated that genetic and
biological evidence does not support the idea and assumptions of what race is. A
relevant definition of race by dictionary.com is any of the traditional
divisions of humankind, the commonest being the Caucasian, Mongoloid, and
Negro, characterized by supposedly distinctive and universal physical
characteristics: no longer in technical use. Race used to describe ethnic
origin is useless because although certain physical characteristics are common
to a geographical location, considering the years of European colonization worldwide
it is impossible for there to be a “Mexican” or “African” look. Genetically the
concept of genetic differences between ethnicity is not supported because
there is very little to no change in DNA within races I believe it is over 85
percent similarities in which the remaining 15 percent is not large enough to
differentiate a race. Therefore the original belief and main use of race that one race is superior to others cannot be upheld. I can elaborate in how the only physical differences that
support race are skeletal and how skin color and facial characteristics are
irrelevant in regards to race however I want to elaborate on how “racism” is a
learned trait with many different origins and what we can do as individuals to
stop holding such antique misinformed beliefs.
I
believe it is common knowledge in social psychology that we as social beings
prefer people who are similar to us. As a Latina born and raised in Mexican/Latin
dominated communities I have always been surrounded by the familiar and was
taught to be scared of the unknown and different. To be honest both my Mexican parents
and extended family hold prejudice beliefs of other ethnic groups. Growing up
near Austin community a predominantly African American neighborhood I was
taught to be afraid of my safety when driving through similar areas especially
at night. It was almost a reflex for my parents to lock the doors and roll up
the windows in “those” neighborhoods. These practices however were not held
simply out of belief but out of unfortunate events that have happened in the
past of violence and mugging.
It didn’t
take long before I enjoyed and sought out different people and different cultures. It was
through that interaction with different people that I realized people were just
as scared of my neighborhood and I was of others. I made an effort to have
diversity in my life and have put in a lot of effort in maintain relationships
with people of different ethnic origins. My best friend is Caucasian and
it has not always been easy.
I often
feel that it is easy to consider other people “racist” or prejudice while at
the same time not putting effort into having friendships with people of
different ethnicity. Being cool with other ethnic groups is not sufficient,
it is through relationship and diverse friendships that we can learn to
understand and respect our differences. Growing up in a large Mexican-American
family I have been made fun of by always having and associating with all kinds
of different people, which is just an example of how these prejudices are
ingrained socially. However diversity is was inspires curiosity, new things,
experiences, foods, and beauty. What makes people different are the details,
which are not always salient through the single sense of sight. Multicultural friendships/relationships
I encourage it, recommend it, and advocate it as an attempt of “racial”
reconciliation.
http://wupa.wustl.edu/record_archive/1998/10-15-98/articles/races.html
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