“As visually dominant mammals, we readily notice differences in skin color in each other. As primates who uniquely use language to create categories, we readily give names to these differences. Since the mid-18th century, skin color has been the single most important physical trait used to define human groups, including variously named varieties, races, subspecies, and species.”
Nina Jablonski & George Chaplin
In my quest to understand the gap that had divided our nation during my lifetime, I continue to read constantly and to listen to those who sincerely have opinions different than my own. My hope is to someday engage in dialogue that gives insight into how our life histories brought us to the point of conflicting opinions. In order for our democracy to survive, individual and group perspectives must be compatible.
Get Rid of the Notion of Racism
The common term “racism” is a misnomer, a word that is commonly used that supports the mistaken assumption that humanity is comprised of different “races,” some being superior to others. The fact is that the human race, or homo sapiens, is comprised of all people regardless of various skins shades.
A better phrase for what we refer to as “racism” is “pigment prioritization.” The darker the skin or other differences in physical appearances from the more dominant class, the lesser a person is human. It’s a neat and simple way to classify groups of people as being deficient, or less than human, in some manner.
(We also identify ourselves as Americans as if we own that classification exclusive of other North, Central, and South Americans. But it is the only continental country with America in its formal name. The United States of America.)
During global wars I and II, it was common to dehumanize our enemies in order to consider ourselves as superior, more civilized humans. Other nations did the same to their enemies confirming the fact that nationalism and discrimination are common world-wide practices.
Within our own borders, the dominant class referred to native Americans and African slaves as lacking intelligence or incorrigible savages in order to remove tribes or to justify slavery.
A form of tribalism exists in all countries that are diverse. Physical differences in minority populations generate fear and anxiety in the majority who have a close resemblance with one another. Speaking any other language other than the dominant one can cause discordance among those in the dominant culture. Add cultural variations in customs and norms to the mix and that presents yet another unreasonable fear.
Is the United States of America unique?
Few democratic countries have such diversity as the United States. And that, folks, is the challenge for us. Can there be a true democracy that includes such high populations of white, Asian, black, Hispanic, and native populations as we see in this, or any, nation?
Within the next two generations in our country, skin shades will gradually morph into a variety of tans, lighter and darker, until there are fewer sharp pigment contrasts.
Unlike many of my relatives and friends, I have had many opportunities to develop working and personal relationships with people who are different than me. I don’t attribute this to anything other than being extremely lucky. I am not gifted with special insights, intelligence, or skills. If anything, I am just curious about everything, especially people.
Through team sports, travel, and work assignments, strong relationships have been made and maintained with African Americans, Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans, and Filipinos. In a similar vein, I have worked with others whose religious faiths are not Christian.
The dominant population in any country has a predilection to truly believe that they are the best, the brightest, and destined to be in charge. Anyone who isn’t a replica of them is deficient in some way. As the minority increases, the level of fear rises.
My future unborn grandchildren will observe far fewer skin shades in our country. Families will embrace one another as brothers, sisters, and cousins regardless of pigment tints. My hope is that the U.S. can continue to be a democracy during those transition years.
Braidwood Beginnings 