The Consequence of the Mixing of Races - Essay Example

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