[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Jen
Date: 1/23/01
Time: 4:26:18 PM
Remote Name: 208.37.108.173
Here's something else to ponder: If a white infant is adopted by a Puerto Rican couple, given a distinctly Spanish name, raised with an appreciation of the Puerto Rican culture, can that child be considered Hispanic?
After all, she could experience racism. She might be of Scottish and British heritage, but if her name is Ana Hernandez, she speaks Spanish and she feels a connection to the Puerto Rican heritage of her parents, how many people would consider her "white"?
Does that mean race is as steeped in experiences as it is in blood? If so, isn't that a testament to just how deep the racial divide is in this country? And just how eager we are to lump people into convenient groups?
Also, I think there should be a distinction between racism and prejudice. In my world, racism is the belief that a certain race is superior to others. (And it's quite possible for, say, a white person to be racist against whites.) Prejudice isn't nice, per se, but I'd argue that it's a natural response to our complex environment. One can be prejudiced without being racist.
That's why "racist" seems to be losing its impact. It's used as an all-encompassing insult or description, even when a better adjective or noun is called for.