How Different are we Really?

In the film, “Race: The Power of an Illusion, Episode 1”, critics discuss the controversial arguments that exist in regards to race, particularly how different and similar racial groups are from one another. A large misconception utilized in society for many years, according to the film, is that race is biologically constructed. In other words, each and every racial group looks and behaves differently because of biological genes. For example, as demonstrated in the film, African Americans’ ability to excel in sports in comparison to other racial groups is often attributed in society to genes. Similarly, this concept can be applied during the prime time of the African Americans’ athletic talent being displayed and admired during the 1930’s Olympics. The athletic talent of Jessie Owens, along with all the other African American participants, was associated to primitive species, emphasizing the locomotion they often used in their environment to maneuver from branch to branch, which society believed led to the success of African Americans during athletic competitions. However, throughout the film, academic scholars eloquently argue and emphasize how much these associated beliefs about genes influencing behavior, such as athleticism, musical ability, or intelligence, were created in order to classify racial groups into a ladder of social hierarchy, not because of biological construct. Additionally, the film depicts how in fact, humans, above all other species are the most genetically similar to one another. As mentioned in the film, penguins and even fruit flies have a larger genetic diversity than us humans, displaying how we are in fact very similar to one another. In addition, as demonstrated through the interactive DNA activity conducted by the students in the film, individuals in the same racial group have more genetic diversity among themselves than with other different racial groups.

I consider myself to be a Mexican American woman, with Hispanic decent. However, the confidence I have in declaring my racial identity on paper has been quite different. I have typically been confused about my racial identity while filling out ‘basic demographic information’ and it all began with taking the California STAR testing in middle school. When RACE is largely stated on the paper, the only option I can fill in is White, which then is followed by a section that offers the options of Non-Hispanic White or White with Hispanic decent. I have always been frustrated with the process of filling out legal information because traditionally this is the case; somehow, despite all my passion and love for my culture and ethnic roots, I feel confined by the RACE section on standard demographic applications and legal documentation since ultimately I must bubble in White.

As a result of watching this film, and the evidence provided by academic scholars revealing how in fact race is not biologically constructed whatsoever, but rather socially constructed, has enlightened and strengthen my view of race and assumptions, as well as propaganda. In particular, researchers and society are constantly insisting how different each racial group is from one another and how some are smarter, more musically talented, or athletic because of their genes, when in reality it is all a myth. Additionally, this film trigger my skepticism as to who are the individuals or group of people managing how racial groups are portrayed and the emphasis that exists on how different we are from one another rather than similar, which could ultimately lead to the congregation of all racial groups coming together in acceptance and unity.
Race persists due to the fact that society, including those who are ordinary civilians, scholars, and even scientists, cannot fathom over the idea that we are all in actuality very much similar and equal to one another. Typically, individuals cannot wrap their heads around this concept. Because there has been such large disparities in the United States from the first establishment of this country, it is hard for individuals for to believe that we are all equal. Give the fact, for example, that African Americans were enslaved in this country for more than 200 years, individuals may not understand the correlation between the government purposefully oppressing and taking the freedom of racial groups for years, if we were all the same? In a sense, how are we all similar, if we all still manage to look different, and the White race has always been superior? Also, because race has been such a popular topic in the scientific field (despite the fact that scientists still have not found direct correlated evidence of race being biological), the persistent varying research on the genes and anatomy among different racial groups has convinced individuals otherwise. Moreover, since race is always being biologically tested and is constantly trying to be proven to reveal how we are all different, members of society can often be blinded of the concept of all racial groups in reality being genetically similar to one another due the historical oppression of different racial groups being degraded in this country for centuries and the persistent fight of demonstrating that we are all genetically different by scientists and scholars.