RACISM: Defining the Deplorably Indefinable.

Racism is an age old issue that has plagued mankind for as long as man has been around; a man who was tall with a hairy chest was considered a part of a different race from a man who was short with a hairless chest. Nowadays, the fight still rages but with a different façade. Even though we are all equal in the sense of our rights and freedoms, we are not all treated the same. This brings up two difficult questions that we as a whole must answer. What is race? And do we really want to be treated the same?

**

First, the question of race: what is it? Is it merely the cajolery of simple man to make distinctions and establish hierarchy? According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary the term, race, is defined as follows:
1.)  : A breeding stock of animals
2.) : A family, tribe, people or nation belonging to the same stock
3.) : A class or kind of people unified by shared interest, habits or characteristics

By this definition, race, isn’t something that is genetically inherent. It is not what makes someone black or white. It is merely the group that an individual closely relates with. This is illustrated by the final definition, “a class or kind of people unified by shared interest, habits or characteristics,” according to this, race should be a term pinned onto groups of people that choose to come together. To elaborate: the race of artists, race of Miami Heat fans, the race of Americans and so on. Race is not what categorizes people into groups of black and white. That is ethnicity, which is genetic and can’t be changed except through means of science and reproduction. Race on the other hand, can be changed. How we look at race, can change. However, it comes to the matter of do we want to? Deep within our self-conscious do we actually long for, if not need, some degree of distinction, of separation?

**

This begs the second question; do we really want to be treated the same, 100% equal? In a perfect Utopia this would seemingly be an undeniable requirement. What could be so atrocious with total equality? Is that not what we strive for as a society? Taking away what makes a person alienated or different doesn’t necessarily take away what makes them unique. Or does it? Even then, what is the difference between the two besides choice of phrase? In current society we thrive off of being together yet distinguishably individual. Is that not what we actually want in our Utopia? Can it be that we all ought to be the same to some degree? How monotonous and mundane yet friendly and safe that world would be. Would it be better though?

**

If any conclusion can be made it is this: we must embrace our differences not separate ourselves by them.

**