TEN
THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RACE
(taken from the documentary Race:
The Power of an Illusion)
EDITED DOWN TO 7 THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW
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?
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 a 1508 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 genetically 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.
...
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.
...
© 2003 California Newsreel. All rights
reserved.
For more info see: http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm