Many people -in a misguided effort to be pc- claim race to be non- existent. Others -simply misguided- view melanin to be the only indicator of race. Many view race in an unhealthy and divisive manner, some reason not to like "them." Many view race in an equally unhealthy fascination, such as people that only date others of a specific and different race.
Race is best described as a set of genetic traits that pass down in a predictable pattern. Dark skin is only more melanin than light skin, therefore is not a racial indicator. However, dark skin, small stature, specific and recognizable facial features, arm length, trunk length, eye colour, blood type, etc., can all combine to give one a racial heritage. A turkish nose combined with a slanted eye structure and blonde hair only mean that you are of no definite race. Any person that has spent time in the orient, or near asians that develop "towns" in large cities (i.e.:chinatown) can easily discern the difference between Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese for this reason. All of the indicators are similar, but subtle and genetically reproduced traits produce different "looks." I meet so many people that want to appear open minded while they end up only appearing stupid or ill-informed. Often one hears that race doesn't exist because humans can interbreed...yes, people repeat this absurdity. This does not indicate race, it would instead indicate a different species. Race refers to a smaller grouping of genetically diverse sets within a species. It is a "breed," much like dog or cat populations. The fact that a Siamese cat can breed with a tabby does not indicate that there is no difference between them. It merely means that they have a different sub-grouping. I am occasionally stunned at how vehement people protest when compared to their pets. Sorry, races are identical in concept to breeds. Knowing this, how likely are you to be a "tabby" person vs. a Siamese person? Would you detest a neighbour that allowed his Rottweiler to impregnate a Dane? Do you view a Labradoodle to be an abomination? It sounds quite silly, doesn't it? Even a devout racist would laugh at the idea. But how then, can people declare human interbreeding to be an affront to their god? Believe it or not, this is still an active topic in many countries. An Arab "mixing" with a Pakistani or Indian, a "white" mixing with a native American or "black", etc., are still abhorred and occasionally murdered for the affront (or vice versa). I noticed a few people claim to want a world consciousness that allows "one people" to be a concept, but can it? Remember that racial is only one characteristic of humanity that people are murdered for. "Mixing" or forsaking ones religion is another. Regional differences -Basque and Spaniard, Russian and Ukrainian, etc.,- is another. I'm not a person that calls for the "one people" concept. I believe that heritage is a special tie that allows one to remember their ancestors and the past- something that allows such beautiful things as garb, language, custom, etc.. I firmly believe that ignoring race (or attempting to) causes far more problems than it solves. Celebrating Chinese new year in Chinatown is something I would suggest to anyone for an example of how awesome diversity can be. Why can't we allow others their cultural inheritance, so long as the culture itself isn't corrupt? Yes this seems to be contrary, but please think about a religious fundamentalist that wants your death and whether or not you want to "celebrate" the idea. Where do you stand on race, heritage, and the destruction of what makes unique and interesting people, unique and interesting people; in the hopes of a world with "one people?"
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