Fallacies of Race and Culture
An Essay by Mark Bateman
(September 15, 2000)
So-called "race" is the result of divergent evolution brought about by
geographical separation. Peoples who evolve in genetic isolation from other peoples will
eventually display different characteristics in regard to skin color, straightness or
curliness of hair, folds of skin about the eye or the absence thereof, relative tallness
or shortness, etc. In my mind, then, there is nothing in "race" that is of any
essence. It is a mere accidental consequence of geographic separation. This of course
means that, given today's ease of transportation and mixing in the same society of persons
of varying geographical origins, the divergence brought about by geographic separation
will be overcome, and the trend will be in the opposite direction, namely, in the
direction of an homogenization of so-called "racial" characteristics.
Eventually, "race" will be an obsolete and useless concept. In fact, I myself
consider it to be right now, at this very moment, an obsolete and useless concept.
I do not consider to be of a different race any of my colleagues, regardless of the
color of their skin or various other so-called "racial" characteristics.
The factor of primary importance is that we are neighbors. Our destinies
are thrown together because we are neighbors. We live in the same geographical area. That
is the single most relevant and unifying factor that should govern our relations with each
other. If neighbors do not find the common interests which exist among them as a result of
sharing the same turf, then how can those same neighbors who are racialists imagine that
there are interests that prevail among peoples of common ancestries, interest which
supposedly transcend geographical boundaries? How can racialists find common bonds among
supposed racial colleagues when they cannot even successfully find common bonds with the
very people among whom they live and work every day?
Now "culture", on the other hand, is a very relevant factor in achieving
peace and prosperity among people. I think most particularly of language as the single
most important aspect of culture to consider when searching for ways to increase peace,
harmony, and prosperity in our society. I think popular thinking muddies the water
inexcusably when it discusses the phenomenon of "race", and then introduces the
non-racial subject of language.
Language is not an aspect of "race". Language is, however, the single most
important aspect of culture. The values people live by, the ease with which they
communicate those values to each other with a common language, and ultimately, the social
and governmental mechanisms which they arrive at through dialogue, these are the
essentials of culture, much more so than things like music, cuisine, and clothing, which
are, after all, manifestations of culture which do not really affect the way that society
is run.
Two other cultural factors which carry near equal weight with language are art and
religion. Both art and religion influence the values and guiding principles within which
neighbors interact with each other. And religious or artistic factors which make it
difficult for people to interact in an peaceful and harmonious way are factors which have
a decisive influence on the success of a society in achieving peace and prosperity.
Without venturing to explore, at this point, the relative merits of various artistic or
religious schools, I do affirm most vigorously that art and religion mold people's values,
and thus have a direct effect on the individual interactions within society, and on the
social and governmental mechanisms which arise because of the blending of individual
values which manifiest themselves in the public square and in the voting booth.
Some recent non-European immigrant is my my neighbor by virtue of his geographical
proximity to me. Perhaps one day, if he chooses, he may be my fellow American citizen.
Hopefully we share a common language in English. We may not share the same nominal
religious identification. And our artistic values may vary. All of the above points of
differentiation (geography, citizenship, language, religion, art) are essential aspects of
culture, and in my mind they are thus worthy of thought, discussion, and continuing
analysis.
On the other hand, I do not see any useful distinction to be drawn from the fact that
the ancestors of this non-European immigrant evolved in Asia or Africa, while my ancestors
evolved in the British isles. That information is useful only in so far as it allows him
and me to understand each other's culture, values, and underlying (and often unconscious)
assumptions about the nature of reality. All of these factors are the result not of our
genes, but of our cultures. There we have grounds for fruitful discussion. |