Defined by Merriam Webster
the human race
Definition of the human race
: all people : human beings as a group
Princeton’s WordNet
- world, human race, humanity, humankind, human beings, humans, mankind, man(noun)
all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
A human race is defined as a group of people with certain common inherited features that distinguish them from other groups of people. All men of whatever race are currently classified by the anthropologist or biologist as belonging to the one species, Homo sapiens. This is another way of saying that the differences between human races are not great, even though they may appear so, i.e. black vs white skin. All races of mankind in the world can interbreed because they have so much in common. All races share 99.99+% of the same genetic materials which means that division of race is largely subjective and that the original 3-5 races were also probably just subjective descriptions as well.
What am I trying to get at here is we need to STOP Segregating ourselves from one another. We are always crying outrage about one group or another; stop and figure out we are all a part of the “HUMAN RACE”. Why must we segregate one another? Why do we feel the need to make one person feel bad or put them down? Why must we continue to judge a whole group of individuals and not the individual themselves? Why is it that we say your bad because you’re white? Why is it we say individuals of color are better at sports? Why is it we say you had it better than anyone else because of the color of your skin? Why is it we say men are better at this than women are? Why do we say that Hispanic workers are harder workers? Why not just that individual is better at this or that? Why not the individual instead of a whole group? Can we not address the problem itself without causing more segregation? When we use segregation to fight segregation, segregation is enforced by the act of trying to fight it, and until we stop this merry-go-round and get off the same old ride, we will change nothing. For have no doubt we all need to change our mindsets on the subjective description of what race is. We are all the same race, yes there are different cultures, yes there are different beliefs that each individual holds true to themselves, but we are all the same race. Let there be no misunderstanding here I “HATE” when someone says otherwise, we all need to stand for one another and stop judging all for the actions of some.
Now I guess to the topic at hand that is so burning in the hearts and minds for this discussion, war monuments and art. War monuments are a part of our past and should be viewed as such. If we as the human race forget the past, we are doomed to repeat it. I for one never want to repeat what has happened in our past, be it American past or not. Through out history there has been one group or another oppressing one group or another group; it is an evil cycle of mass bullying! I do not know the answer to what to should be done with these monuments. I do not view them as anything to fear for I know part of the past that they represent is wrong, I think to myself that is a beautiful work of art, and I will never view the world as they did. They strengthen my resolved to be a better individual, to not judge others by their differences, to look beyond one’s ideas of self and realize that we are all the same. I would have to say that the feelings of all should be taken into account and that a solution that is acceptable to the whole is what should happen. Be that solution maybe they are moved into the museum, not erased from our history and may be replaced with an art piece that represents that era but does not inflame. My heart breaks for the way we as the human race have treated one another and continue to do today. No, I was never a slave, no I can not tell you how that feels, but neither can most individuals today. One can be outraged over injustices done to one’s ancestors, but one can not say I have been a slave unless you were. I know that there is an argument coming or an outrage felt by some at what I just said, but at its core those words are true. What we really need to talk about is oppression. Oppression of any individual or group of individuals is wrong, and it happens so much today across the globe it is frightening. Oppression of ideas, oppression of where you come from or grew up, oppression of one’s gender, skin color, sexual orientation, body type, and anything that makes one different (on both sides). We can rejoice in what makes us different and not put down or demean others that are not the same.
Now on to the part of this discussion that upsets me the most about all of this, why must we bring segregation into art? Art should be about bringing individuals together, to make them stop and think that is amazing; I never saw it that way. Art should bring individuals together if not but just for a moment in time; it all has to start somewhere and why not with art? When we say, you can not express art in that style because you are not ….. (whatever the reason is), art is moved from expression into a realm of segregation. Thus, once again we are creating segregation where we say we do not wish it, this infuriating cycle continues. Yes, I agree that to feel the pain or suffering of some event can lend to a better understanding but that does not mean others can not understand and want to express their own support or outrage. We always look at the picture before us when talking about the word “racism,” but few clearly see to the core of what it is, segregation. Segregation is what we should be speaking of for segregation happens across all groups.
I talked not long ago to someone about my upcoming capstone and one of the ideas I wished to pursue. After explaining what I wanted to do I was told that it might be touchy because I had to ensure I was not taking advantage of that group of individuals and was wanting to bring awareness not just make it something for myself, I agree with this. The part that struck me was when I explained that I had been there, that I had lived that life, it was all good then. I began to think why was it all good? Why was it more ok then than before? Why would it be ok for me to make this art now and maybe not so much before, could I not understand before? Would it be ok for me now to take advantage of this group because at some point in my life I was there? How is that ok, is it ok? I do not think so, and I do not think that the individual I was talking to meant it that way. It is wrong for anyone to take advantage of anyone else. But I must ask a few more questions; why is it ok for us to accept some forms of segregation and not attack just a passionately all forms of segregation and bullying? Why do we pick and chose which we want to fight, for if one is truly passionate about eradication this tyranny one should fight all fronts for if we allow just a sliver to survive it will never end. I love the quote, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” I have to wonder I am I doing nothing if I stand back and say, I never experienced that so I do not know.