StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Consequence of the Mixing of Races - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Given Olson’s argument that biology alone can no longer serve as the basis for race, how do we explain the persistence of race and ethnicity? The paper "The Consequence of the Mixing of Races" will use Savan and Olson in articulating the response to this question…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.5% of users find it useful
The Consequence of the Mixing of Races
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "The Consequence of the Mixing of Races"

Given Olson’s argument that biology alone can no longer serve as the basis for race, how do we explain the persistence of race and ethni Use Savan and Olson in articulating your response to this question. Introduction The biological basis of race can no longer be taken as the sole differentiator of people found in any location is the proposition put forward by Steve Olsen in his book “The End of Race: Hawaii and the mixing of people”. If we take this proposition of Olson as true then there has to be an explanation for the continued differences in society on the basis of race and ethnicity that are a common occurrence. The Consequence of the Mixing of Races The physical features of race are the first differentiating factor any race. The mixing of races blurs this difference. The melding of the Angles and Saxons many centuries ago to make up the Anglo-Saxons makes for clear understanding of this. The Anglo-Saxons can be said to be made up of any distinct set of physical features, as there is varied nature of the physical features among the Anglo-Saxons. Yet genetically they are the same, even though physically there are many differences. Steve Olson uses Hawaii as the example of mixing of races to portend the future of a race of human race devoid of ethnicity, because of the mixing of different races that have occurred in the country. It is this very mixing of races that gives us insight into the retention of ethnic divides, when biology has ceased to be of relevance. Hawaii is a mix of people that can trace their roots to Japan, China, New England, Portugal, the Philippines and the native Polynesians. Social class in the land is based on this tracing of ancestral ties. Those with ancestral ties to Japan, China, and New England occupy the higher classes of society, while those with ancestral ties to the Philippines and Portugal occupy the next bracket of social class. The native Polynesians find themselves right at the bottom of the social class system, which is reflected in their resolve for an independent nation, much like the aspirations of the Native American Indians. This ethnical divide persists even though there has been much biological mixing through interracial marriages. This experience of Hawaii provides support for the argument that with mixing of races, new sets of races are created socially that do not have biological relevance and lead to the persistence of racial divides of society. Olson provides a clear example of the fading of the biological basis of racial divide on Hawaii through the example of a man with ancestors, whose roots could be traced to native Hawaiians, Japanese, German, and the Irish. So biologically what race would this man belong to? Furthermore this man has four daughters and there is always the possibility of these daughters marrying individual with an ancestry that is as complex as theirs. To what race would they belong biologically? Such questions remove the validity of the biological basis of race presently and more so in the future. This picture of Hawaii is relevant to the United States of America, which is a blend of different races in varying proportions. Given this scenario of the diminishing role of biology in race, new reasons present themselves for the persistence of race and ethnicity, which in essence stems from social and political concepts. However, the importance and identity of race is fast changing in such ways as were unimaginable during the era of Martin Luther King. The Role of Covert Prestige Racism may have found its origins in physical differences and color differences, but racism is not merely about being Asian, African, American, European, or black, white, brown, and yellow. Were these racial differences to be removed, the social class system that stems from prestige derived through it will ensure the persistence of discrimination of the underprivileged people that exist in particular races. India with its diverse populations provides clarity to this issue of covert prestige in individuals. The social class system is very dominant in the consisting of four hierarchical classes pf society that starts with the ruling class and ends with the discriminated class of people engaged in job functions that are considered the lowest form of employment. There is no interchanging of caste and the caste into which an individual is born is carried forward by the individual. The Significance of Sensory Realities of Race and Ethnicity The blurring of biology in racial differences has only heightened the sensory realties of race of ethnicity. Revisiting the picture of Hawaii and its population, as presented by Olson, it can be seen that the association between biology and ethnicity is weak. Individuals prefer to identify themselves not just ethnically on the basis of their ancestor, but also on the basis of the position of class of society they belong to. The case of the Anglo-Indians in India and their changing positions on identity makes this very clear. The Anglo-Indian community in India emerged from the many years of European rule in India that resulted in children with parentage that was a mix of European and Indian. During the times of British rule the Anglo-Indians enjoyed social privileges, which turned desultory with the gaining of independence. A majority of the Anglo-Indians either left the country or remained back in the country, making attempts to hide their ancestry, and meld with the local population. Thus it is not the mere change in the biological perspective of race that will lead to the death of racism. Role of media and market play in the creation of race According to Savan, hip-hop is part of the youth culture. However, in his opinion the mere act of borrowing black language alone is enough to bring people together. The author suggests that the existing bridges between people are more to do with people and the media as opposed to people per se. The author has further notes that there is an element of covert prestige in the acts of the white population by aping black talk, or their songs and distinguishing habits. It must be realized that the motivation for this stems from the covert prestige gained and not any attempt to bridge the gap between these two races, and such acts do not bring them together. . Savan further opines that the problem with this move is that the whites are made to feel good about their selves, despite their not doing anything worth while in bridging the racial divide. This is a form of easily picked up prestige, and not one that has been earned. This then has a potential to encourage such beliefs that actions like high-fiving are an indication of a political commitment to bridging racial divides. Conclusion Olson and Savan show us that in spite of the blurring of the biological basis of racial divides, it continues to persist because of the political and social class compulsions that ensure the continuity of an underprivileged people and that any attempts in bridging the racial divide by the privileged is really an attempt of gaining covert prestige and not any real intent to bridge the gap. Works Cited 1. “Anglo-Indians – The Anglo-Indian Community. angloindians.com. 23 Nov. 2008. . 2. Olson, Steve. “The end of race: Hawaii and the mixing of people”. In Mapping Human History: Genes, Race, and Our Common Origins. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002. 3. Savan, Leslie. “What’s black, then white, and said all over?” In Slam Dunks and No Brainers. New York: Barnes & Nobles, 2005. Read More
Tags
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Race Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words”, n.d.)
Race Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1549992-race
(Race Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words)
Race Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1549992-race.
“Race Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1549992-race.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Consequence of the Mixing of Races

Crippled by their Culture by Thomas Sowell

A logical and well constructed argument on the role that culture plays on the differences between and within races Crippled by their culture, by Thomas Sowell considers the concepts of racism and racial differences between the blacks and the whites.... A logical and well constructed argument on the role that culture plays on the differences between and within races Crippled by their culture, by Thomas Sowell considers the concepts of racism and racial differences between the blacks and the whites, particularly in relation to the so-called “black rednecks”....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Critical Race in Literature

Lastly, the third theme of critical race theory, the 'social construction' thesis, holds that race and races are products of social thought and relations.... ot objective, inherent, or fixed, they correspond to no biological or genetic reality; rather, races are categories that society invents, manipulates, or retires when convenient.... That society frequently chooses to ignore these scientific facts, creates races, and endows them with pseudo-permanent characteristics is of great interest to critical race theory (Crenshaw et al....
12 Pages (3000 words) Research Paper

Race, Culture, Identity: Misunderstood Connections

America is a diverse nation; it is composed of different races, and no race should be superior over the other.... Complete Name of the Student Complete Name of the Professor 4 February 2013 The Origin of the Notion of Race Imagine a world where race does not exist.... Imagine a world where people are not being discriminated based on the colour of their skin, the thickness of their hair, or even based on who their parents are....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Appalachian Mountain Top Removal (strip mining)

Early settlers in the region brought their culture and mining skills from areas such a Wales and Scotland in Great Britain.... A distinctive culture has developed from these early settlers.... ... ... ... But everyone recognizes that in much of the region, coal is king. ... ... he popular images of hardworking men traveling deep into the bowels of the earth to work an honest day for Everyone is aware of the dangers of black lung and cave-ins, but the coal has to be brought out at any cost....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Race as Only One Element of Human Culture

The NAACP recently developed a film competition with the support of the American Red Cross, Sony Pictures, and Best Buy in order to help students of different races to present their own innovative social solutions using film to exploit their diverse opinions (naacp.... The NAACP was chosen as an example so as to reinforce that there is already a large volume of advocacy groups that continue to protest to legislators and senior-level decision-makers to ensure they are given equal opportunities as other races in society....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper

The Racing Game Called Need For Speed

Other significant futures include the fact that one makes money by earning a bounty which is the money rewarded for causing destruction and traffic offences wrecking police cars as well as winning races.... In the game, one gets to pick the car of choice from a list of top of the range cars, nevertheless, they have to earn their car by making enough virtual money to buy them or qualify to unlock them by winning specific races.... The main skills tested in the game are the player's ability to drive at high speeds and keep ahead of other drivers to win races, on uneven and confusing tracks often under a lot of pressure....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Explore how Ken Loach articulates social concerns in( Kes.)

The 1960s was a decade of cultural and political upheaval in Europe and America.... Some of these changes were captured in the film within the structures of narrative story telling.... The late 1960s witnessed an end.... ... ... From that point onwards Britain, following suit American economic policy, had opened up its economy for global investiture....
5 Pages (1250 words) Assignment

Various Aspects of Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500 is one of the richest and fastest motorsport races in the world.... As a shrewd business person, Fisher knew that people would be eager to watch and would pay any amount of money to witness the races.... Minor races were being held in various locations and organizers discussed the possibilities of having motor speedways.... It began with races hot air balloon races....
8 Pages (2000 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us