Let's Stop Using Race
I am a firm believer that people use the word 'race' incorrectly. It is commonly used to distinguish groups of people based on the color of their skin. The problem that I have with this is simply that, for every color you pick, there exists a multitude of groups that can identify with the color choice. Have you noticed how one group is insulted when they are mis-identified?
There is a very simple solution. First and foremost, let us agree that there is only ONE race, the HUMAN race. From there, let's talk about culture and ethnicity. Culture is the ideas, symbols, behaviors, values and beliefs that are shared by a human group. We can go further and say that culture is a groups program or plan for survival and adaptations to its environment Ethnicity speaks to groups that share a common history and culture, common values, behaviors and other characteristics that cause
members of the group to have a shared identity. Therefore, culture, not biology, is the key factor distinguishing ethnicity.
Hopefully, you can immediately see that there are places that can, and do, overlap, and there should be. Each and every one of us can list characteristics that we identify who we are. Here is an example: Find the origin of your mother's and father's last name. What did you find out? Do you physically look like the people where the name originated? Compare your religious practices with those from where those names originated. Are they the same or different? (Note:These questions will require a little work on your part.)
I say this because you will find that there are more similarities than differences. We all bleed red, cry when we are hurt, fight or run when frightened, laugh at things we find funny. We all are one family, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins. We are the human family and its about time for a family reunion.
There is a very simple solution. First and foremost, let us agree that there is only ONE race, the HUMAN race. From there, let's talk about culture and ethnicity. Culture is the ideas, symbols, behaviors, values and beliefs that are shared by a human group. We can go further and say that culture is a groups program or plan for survival and adaptations to its environment Ethnicity speaks to groups that share a common history and culture, common values, behaviors and other characteristics that cause
members of the group to have a shared identity. Therefore, culture, not biology, is the key factor distinguishing ethnicity.
Hopefully, you can immediately see that there are places that can, and do, overlap, and there should be. Each and every one of us can list characteristics that we identify who we are. Here is an example: Find the origin of your mother's and father's last name. What did you find out? Do you physically look like the people where the name originated? Compare your religious practices with those from where those names originated. Are they the same or different? (Note:These questions will require a little work on your part.)
I say this because you will find that there are more similarities than differences. We all bleed red, cry when we are hurt, fight or run when frightened, laugh at things we find funny. We all are one family, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins. We are the human family and its about time for a family reunion.
Brother Milliken I am all for a family reunion. I really enjoyed the blog and I totally think you are on to something good.