“…people of my nationality”

Ed Anderson, an African American native of Braidwood, Illinois, referred to himself also as belonging to “my nationality.” I have long disagreed with terms like “white race” or “yellow race” of “white race” since there is only one race. The human race is comprised of variously tinted skin shades between lighter and darker. The commonly used term “racism” is a misnomer. The better term is “nationalism” or “tribalism.”

Being a “paper boy” in Braidwood during my early teens, I had the opportunity to become acquainted with nearly everyone in our town.  Two former Braidwood residents, both Herald-News customers, are especially intersting.  Both Ed Anderson and Bill “Mud” Pinnick were descendants of about two hundred African-American mine workers who were imported during the Braidwood coal mine strike of 1877 when our fair city had a population of about 5,000 residents.  The imported miners were brought in as “strike breakers” by the owners in retaliation against the striking miners.

Piqued by our Braidwood history of having Black residents for so many years while surrounding towns had so little similar history, I was eager to learn more about this phenomenon.  I learned much from the research done by historians Tim Pinnick, Dick Joyce, and Sandy Vasko.

But it was a meeting with Ed Anderson’s daughter, Karen, where I learned something that is certainly apropos to the country’s current times.  At least for me.

Nationality, not “Race”

Karen showed me newspaper clippings from February 1997 when Ed, at the age of 93, was interviewed for a local paper. An in-depth article provided new information about Ed and his brother-in-law Bill “Mud” Pinnick. The most interesting point in the article for me was when Ed was quoted describing himself as coming from “people of my nationality” in addition to Black or African American.  

Exactly!

That particular phrase struck me as “spot on.”  Why do we designate people as being from different races when all human beings come from the “human race?” It made me think about how we use the English language. Ed’s roots were from a different nationality, not a different race. What we really mean when we say racism is “nationalism” or “tribalism.”  

Scientific Evidence

Many archeologists have found evidence that all humans started in Africa some two to three million years ago who then proceeded to migrate to the far ends of the earth.  Depending on the various living conditions, humans adapted in order to survive. Physical appearances may appear to be slightly different, but they are all part of the homo (human) species or race and designated only by the ethnic categories that we arbitrarily choose. 

“Nationalism” or “tribalism” are currently dominant issues in our country as well as in our world.  These terms have the implication of “my nation/tribe whether right or wrong.”  This notion goes well beyond patriotism or group loyalty and is contrary to the American ideals of equality and fairness. You know, the common good.

What I read into Ed’s comment was his identification as a member of his nationality, similar to others who come from different nationalities. We may have different physical attributes and nationalities, but Ed and I are both members of the same race, the human race. Not Caucasian or Negroid “race.”

Thanks, Ed, for some wisdom that I (we) need at this time. I wish that I had had the opportunity to discuss this topic at length with you.