Race is a Myth: the Natural Response to Reading "The Race Myth" by Joseph L Graves Jr
Why Subscribe to the Myth of Race?
My intention today was to simply do a book review on a non-fiction read. But my selection was my undoing because I chose a title that I'm not worthy of reviewing. The brilliance is blinding and the echo of the truth is deafening. All I can mutter and babble repeatedly is the message:
Race Is a Myth
It's too late for you to say that you disagree with any heartfelt conviction. Something rang true for you the moment you read the title, even if you 'think' you don't like it, it's as true to you as it is for the ones who agreed with the truth of it on their first reading too.
Besides, the seed has been planted firmly in your mind, and your mind being such fertile soil that those who see themselves as your superiors have exploited it for years. They've used manipulations, falsehoods, and trickery to keep you 'good for Santa,' or at the very least, good for fear of pain, or from fear of each other.
Now that you have read the seed of truth of the myth and illusion of race, that truth will grow firmly in your mind like an oak tree. No longer do we need to fear one another for false reasons since there are so many other valid reasons to disagree.
As long as the seed is planted I'll live with the results no matter what.
Race Is a Myth
All human beings are brought up the same. We all 'feel' that the 'race' we're raised around is the best. To challenge, or even worse, to dismantle some of the core beliefs that we keep from infancy, is to actually dismantle a part of your personal identity. While that's asking a lot of anyone, the time has come for Mankind to step into the next point of our evolution, and understand that we're all any of us have. My dream is to see the world free of these divisions, and not by the force of government, but by informed choice. I must begin somewhere.
Race Is a Myth
Race is nothing more than a societal construct. All things being equal, medically speaking, Al Sharpton's kidney could save the life of my neighbor Chet. My heart donated could save the life of Kim Jong Il. Were they about 'older gals,' my sons could meet, marry, and bear offspring of their own with Obama's daughters. Their offspring, would actually be even more viable, because of genetic diversity.
This is all mentioned only to illustrate the point that every human is a human being, no more, no less, and certainly no different in any significant way.
Race Is a Myth
We like to 'think' that we're thinking that there's a difference of some sort, due only to what's apparent to us. Science has proven, yet again, the reality of our biological non-difference in that there is no genetic marker for race. There is no 'phonebook entry' for any sort of differences other than those aspects of any individual resulting from environmental conditions over millions of years of that individual's ancestry.
For reference, I'd like to mention the work of Joseph L Graves Jr, "The Race Myth."
ISBN: 0452286581
Pub. Date: June 2005
Format: Paperback, 320pp
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
By the second chapter, the author of this editorial could almost 'feel' his perceptions changing about the world. Read this book. Change the world.
I'm simply not capable of doing a standard 'review' of such a great work. I'm only hoping to share today the effect of this brilliant work. You'll find Joseph L Graves heroic as well.
Race Is a Myth
The sooner we all realize the same truth, the sooner the tricks and manipulations by those who profit from our division will end. The sooner my own children will live in a better world. The sooner we come to understand that Race Is a Myth, the sooner we all find peace. I can only hope that sooner-than-later everyone would come to see that race is a myth.
Source:
Personal opinion, editorial, and a knack for stalking Beyonce
http://aalbc.com/reviews/the_race_myth.htm
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=92727470517
Published by Donald Pennington - Featured Contributor in Politics
Donald contributes on a wide variety of topics. Among his favorites are movie reviews, political commentary, divorce, and crime commentary. See something you like? Share it on Twitter! View profile
Politics and the Race CardClaims that the race card has been played by political campaigns raise questions of how big an issue race has been, or will be, in this year's presidential election.
Sgt. Crowley, Professor Gates and the Silliness of RaceOver reaction is the name of the game when it comes to racial miss-understandings.- Race and Ethnicity--A Sociobiological PerspectiveNo study of the human experience would be complete without a consideration of race and ethnicity from the standpoints of sociology and biology. This paper discusses these topics in detail.
- Children from Another World: The Chronicles of Narnia This is a research article about children's literature, mythology and popular culture. It tries to understand the important role that the very different religious sensibilities of authors like C.S. Lewis and Philip P...
- No Free Government Land, but There is Cheap Land AvailableYour all set, you've got your eco-house all figured out. Now you need a place to set up home. Is Free Government land a myth?
- Introducing the Church of the Myth of Race
- The Discourse of Civilization and Myth
- Big, Bold and Beautiful is a Myth
- The Flood Myth in Religion
- The Myth of Race
- The Myth of Racial Reconciliation
- The Myth of Race
41 Comments
Post a Commentinteresting stuff!
Awesome and refreshing piece to read - Thank you for the 'hope' and 'renewal' - Write on ;-)
Great article Donald.
I have always felt race was such a horrible reason to try and separate ourselves from each other or "hate" one another. We're just the human race; sounds simple because it is. Now, the race issues humans have created for ourselves aren't so simple, but I hope more people are understanding this is SUCH a waste of time and human life. Great topic Donald!
Amen.
Yup ShawnTe. Spot on! Race is a non-issue. Seeing the responses here is like a cool drink of water to me on a hot Summer day. We've all plenty of other things to disagree on other than an issue that shouldn't even exist in the first place with the knowledge we now have about ourselves. I'm glad that racism is going the way of the buffalo myself. Just like everyone else, I grew up around it too (I grew up? Dang!) and the arguments in support of racism never struck me as logical. But kids in the TX Panhandle weren't allowed to argue with elders...even though they were wrong wrong wrong.
In a perfect world race would not exist. However "race" is a by product of prejudice. Prejudice is what should be eliminated. Think about it, once race becomes a non-issue then other prejudices will still exist or worse be created. We are divided by more than race. Wealth, social status, intellect, physical attractiveness also cause division. As well as other factors such as faith and sexual orientation. Race IMO is just the itch, you can get rid of it but the fungus that caused the itch, prejudice, will still linger.
You are on a good premise with how you view the world and how we think of it. I feel that you may just be sincere. However, when it comes to man's ego, he is at it's mercy. This is what the world is made up of. Our egos. It's not pretty and it has been pretty destructive. I look forward to your future blogs. Perhaps you will read my own. I am inspired by what we can create for the common good, not for common bad or indifferent. It rains on the just as well as the unjust. That is the way of the world. The way of spirit, however, is different. If you would like to venture into it, be my guest. I am a spirit filled so-called Christian but I am evolved in my thinking to realize that we may have come here on different boats but we are in the same boat when it comes to having to evolve into the next level. Good luck. Deb
Donald,terrific article. The Old Testament refers to "tribes"-- all descended from Father Abraham. This is your best stuff! I'm now at the point where I can look over at the most commented list and see if you're on there without reading your name. I can tell by the title!
I just finished reading Adam Mansbach's "Angry Black White Boy." It may be a good companion read for "The Race Myth." It certainly got me thinking a lot.