"REVISION: The Undefinable Word: Race"

Sebastian

Mantilla                                                                                                    

10/02/16

The Undefinable Word: Race

The term race is a loosely defined word because it changes throughout time. Even the broader definition of the term still has its own specifications which are seen in the Census’ definition Here, which says, “the census questionnaire generally reflect[s] a social definition of race.” These criteria inevitability exist in society and even more so in everyday subconscious reactions, thoughts or dialogue. In June Jordan’s Report from the Bahamas, she explains her initial thoughts towards one of her Caucasian students who had good intentions but paralleled the divide she felt between her race and his. She described how they “had grown closer ... But then [their] talk[s] shifted to student affairs more generally, and [she] learned that this student does not care one way or the other about [the] currently jeopardized Federal Student Loan Programs because, as he explained it to me, they do not affect him. My own son, however, is Black” (Jordan, p. 9). She shows how someone of her education still succumbs to the divides between races to dictate her future reactions with her student. Although, they perfectly respect each other and build off of each other’s ideas, she is still actively aware of the still present difference of opportunity. This exists as a barrier between them.

Through the undeniable divides in society, we’re able to reach a conclusion of how race came to be. In the colonization of the Americas, there was an import of different cultural ideas and beliefs as described Here. Anibal Quijano’s example is the “social category of ‘race’ ” mentioned in the academic journal named Coloniality and Modernity/Rationality. He states that “old ideas of superiority of the dominant, and the inferiority of dominated under European colonialism were mutated in a relationship of biologically and structurally superior and inferior” (Quijano, pg. 171). The beginning of the term race was a way to organize the dominants and the inferiors but developed into its own institution that was justified through biology. Power was given to certain people of a specific race while others were organized based on their “flaws” in comparison to the dominant race. These ideas were carried into Susie Guillory Phipps court case (1982-83) against the Louisiana Bureau of vital Records. She sued to “change her racial classification from black to white. [She was] the descendant of an l8th-century white planter and a black slave. Phipps was designated "black" in her birth certificate in accordance with a 1970 state law which declared anyone with at least 1/32nd "Negro blood" to be black” (Omi and Winant, p. 53). The existence of this idea in a relatively “modern” time period demonstrates the integrated societal view of what would be considered an untouchable race. This law suggests the idea that even a little bit of discordancy from an African-American bloodline, taints anyone who would be considered white.

Living in a society where there is a lot of racial activism, it is interesting and troubling to see the divides that have surfaced and strengthened. Although there are issues that are now receiving light rightly owed, the divisions between institutions, meant for the benefit of all, and the communities that make up society are troubling.

This photograph shows a lot of what people are fighting for. For example, the two stickers on the megaphone the say “PEOPLE” and “POWER” signify that if everyone, people, can come together their voice has power. There for they can fight and achieve the justice they rightfully deserve. This picture was found on Flicker and was taken by Chris Wieland.

The Picture: https://www.flickr.com/photos/telekon/15266168093/in/photolist-pg26UH-fpVGGV-pUXH8z-pLezZ6-povPqS-pfMCtY-D5aNhd-BwEyHa-BwE3e4-AGxvBe-pfMCrU-B8oufF-AGrbRG-BunQm1-BunwuQ-BcPyAw-pYpmAF-pPvzcS-qLvxTv-btPZaA-Hvwd2L-BDXMbp-BcPwG1-BunPxY-BC83Kq-BBDCJo-rc

 Work Cited

Omi, M., & Winant, H. (1994). Racial formation in the United States: From the 1960s to the 1990s. New York: Routledge. - Discusses the definition race through different lenses such as politics or social environments.

Quijano, A. (2007). Coloniality and modernity/rationality. Cultural studies,21(2-3), 168-178. - Looks at the creation of race through colonialism and the values brought from Europe.

Jordan, J. (2003). Report from the Bahamas, 1982. Meridians, 3(2), 6-16. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/40338566 - A personal recount of the author’s experience at the Bahamas with those of other races and of the same race with respect to privilege.

About Race. (2013, July 8). Retrieved October 16, 2016, from http://www.census.gov/topics/population/race/about.html - The US Census Bureau defines what is race and the definition used on their census.

Harvey, S. P. (2016, April 28). Ideas of Race in Early America - Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History. Retrieved October 16, 2016, from http://americanhistory.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.001.0001/acrefore-9780199329175-e-262 - Explains the arrival of Europeans and the effect of their oppressive actions.