Reflection #13

The word Race means “related by common descent or heredity. What is Racism? And does it really exist? I will answer these questions later, but going back to Race to me race does and does not exist. How is it that I believe there are two possible answers? I remember watching a movie in the class about how we all originated from Africa for the life of me I cannot seem to remember the name of it but I think it was “Mother Eve”. Okay, so that means Race as we know it does not exist nor should it. If all our ancestors came from Africa then why are some people known as Blacks, Whites, Haitians, Asians, and Hispanics etc…? Who came up with these stamps for us and why? The word Racism basically means the notion or idea that one’s own Race is superior and has the right to rule others. Wait a minute, with this definition I still come to believe that Race does not exist. Race is nothing but we having opinions about who we are who others are or who we are suppose to be or where we are suppose to belong. So why does Racism exist if Race does not? I believe the whole issue is when someone finds someone that does not look like them we are maybe afraid of the difference we see or envy that difference. The person responsible for racism would have to be us in general. We are people and we choose to be Racist we come up with this conception that I am better than you and because you do not look like me there is something wrong with you or you are just less than I am. Racism can be shown in many forms. One way would be through racial slur trying to degrade the person or race because we feel that they do not belong where we are. Back in the 1800’s there were segregation and slavery why because somebody decided well I am better than you so therefore you should belong to me and do what I say. In those days 95% of blacks were slaves. We have come a long way from slavery and Racism but is it completely gone? No, I can’t be so naive to think that the world has completely changed because that would be just the utter most lie ever. Racism exists in the workplace, in the home, in our schools, churches, our familiar groups, and with friends. The real question for me would have to be can Racism be eliminated? No, as sad or shocking as this might sound it is the blunt truth. As long as we are labeled as Blacks, Whites, Hispanics etc… on the Census or our children’s test then of course racism is here to stay and rein.