Re: CHAT: American Racism [was: Star Wars]

"The categorization is hopelessly inadequate. Its also hopelessly
old-fashioned. The concept of race has largely been dismissed by
anthropologists. There are people in Central Asia for instance that would
neither fall in the category of Caucasian or Asian, 'racially' speaking.
The same is true in the Indian subcontinent. What about subcontinental
immigrants to the US who are Dravidians? What American category would they
fall into? What about Filipino negrito immigrants? What about an immigrant
who happens to be an Australian aborigine?"

Heh. Judging by American normalisations, they would be: [drumroll, please!]
Dravidian-Americans
Negrito-Filipino-Americans (Americans who are of Negrito-Filipino origin!)
Native Australian-American!

Just joking. I think. I'm not arguing race is an utterly stupid and
self-nullifying concept (Egyptians, North Indians, and Moroccans are
Caucasian, but Ethipians aren't); that's my point. I think it is important
given the obsession of Americans over racial purity that Americans take
steps to recify racist positions. I mean, if Americans prized green eyes
over blue, and blue over brown, then perhaps it is worthwhile to be really
conscious about ensuring that bias is rectified. It's the same with race. I
wish we were colourblind, but we are not, and pretending we are isn't
making the situation any better.

Perhaps there needs to be a more comprehensive way of marking race.


BB
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"Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo."
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