The Pros And Cons Of Race And Racism

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Race is the utmost prevalent issue that has ensued in both positive and negative outcomes throughout the world. While many gains have been made, race is still a major issue in the world. How people categorize themselves based on their physical appearance, and choose which characteristics are preferable in society, really emphasizes racism. According to Kenneth J. Guest’s text Cultural Anthropology, ethnocentrism is what distorts society’s perception on which physical characteristics are preferable and better for society. Using one’s own culture to evaluate and judge the practices and ideas of others is what ignites racism. The biggest issue with racism is the evaluation of whether one race is perceived to be inferior or superior. In the process …show more content…

By evaluating times in history when countries were conquered, the white race had to most advantage in attaining the most power and what benefits society best. According to Guest, non-whites are believed to be biologically different, intellectually inferior, and not fully human in a spiritual sense. This evaluation on non-whites determines the welfare of those who not meet certain standards that are distinguished as “superior qualities”. Those who are non-white are considered to be inferior in the eyes of society. It is inevitable for non-whites to undergo the most unfair treatments while whites get the most benefits. Because of this evaluation, whites are bound to be wealthier, healthier, and exposed to luxury. White supremacy describes that whites have that privilege to be better off than everyone. Although this is an absurd belief, it is unfortunate to say that statistics have proven this ideology to be true. According to an article by Clarence C. Gravlee, in 2004, the overall age-adjusted death rate for black Americans was more than 30% higher than it was for white Americans; for some leading causes of death, the disparity was substantially higher. Statistics that prove that the welfare of “inferior” groups are low clearly demonstrate where certain races stand in society. White supremacy has been evident throughout history and it is demonstrated through how …show more content…

With everyone accepting the belief that race is biologically inherited, it is challenging to reason past categorizing everyone as the same person with the same traits and characteristics. White supremacy is such an influence amongst other races that it is even becoming evident how much power they have demonstrated they can have. White supremacy is what has determined which races are considered inferior or superior. Throughout history, those of lighter skin tones are benefitted the most while those who are darker suffer consequences in their health, economy other important factors in life. People base their judgements on what society is perceived to be aesthetic instead of taking into consideration everyone’s differences and accepting their backgrounds and

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