Race
Race, a simple four letter word we use to describe a grouping of humans based on shared physical or social qualities.
But in this day and age, why do we have to distinguish groups based on their different traits? No matter what your physical characteristics, colour, ethnicity, language or social background, aren’t we all the same – humans? We have feelings, we have the same basic needs for food, air, shelter and we are at times dependent on others for our survival, look how long it takes a human to reach a stage where they are able to take care of themselves.
I appreciate that many of us hold dear our culture, religion, language or a plethora of other attributes that make us the person we are and give us a sense of belonging, faith or even hope – but is it our race?
Aren’t we best to put this generic term to the side and rather than look at what makes us different, we should embrace what we share in common? If we take this approach we are more likely to create a harmonious, inclusive community where we treat our neighbours with humanity rather than judge them on stereotypes or our preconceived biases. I think Kanye West had it right when he suggested we need to remove walls and categorisations that keep us from considering ourselves as one family or one race.
Kanye West said it well:
All these walls that keep us from loving each other as one family or one race – racism, religion, where we grew up, whatever, class, socioeconomic – what makes us be so selfish and prideful, what keeps us from wanting to help the next man, what makes us be so focused on a personal legacy as opposed to the entire legacy of a race.
