It is important that as a society, we learn to judge others by their internal characteristics, rather than what is on the outside. Race is not a biological concept. Naomi Zack and Jana King both speak to the idea that race is not an accurate or appropriate way to judge a person’s character. We need to look beyond that. We have to realize that racism is not all that we make it out to be.
People often see race as having something to do with biology; however, science tells us that this is not the case. Inside, we are all the same, genetically. Although this is true, we must come to the reality that race is about how we see ourselves as people. As Audre Lorde once said, "It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences." It is important that we see beyond the genetic content of an individual. In “More Than Skin Deep,” Naomi Zack eloquently states that race is an artificial idea, rather than a biological reality. She also makes the point that “Skin color can be used as a shorthand of race as a system of biological types.” This gives an example of how Zack views this concept. If this is true, then we need to be careful of how we view race entirely.
Undoubtedly, people tend to judge others by the color of their skin, not really taking the time to look at the character of an individual. If we continue to judge others by the color of their skin rather than their internal characteristics, we will never fully grow as a society. As Jana King points out in “In Living Color,” the point is not to discriminate against whites, but to allow a candidate for any position, job or education, a fighting chance when up against someone who has had more opportunities. It is important that we try to overlook what is on the outside of a person, and look within them.
As a person who has been blind since birth, I can say that I have truly learned the art of seeing someone for who they are as an individual, rather than judging them for their skin color. I have never been able to see anything in my entire life; however, that does not change how I view the world. For instance, when I meet a person for the very first time, I don't decide that I don't like the person because they are a certain race. I'm going to judge them, not by the color of their skin, but by who they are as a person. I am surrounded by people who I cannot see every day, and just because that is so, does not mean that I would treat them differently if I was sighted. I just think that if people were to turn a blind eye (pun intended) to racism, the world would be a better place.
We must make it a habit to look at the internal characteristics of others, rather than what is on the outside. In order to have unity in our society, we have to realize that race is not just about our genetic content. Pigment of skin should not be the reason for so much hatred and violence. No one can control what body they are born into. We should learn to see people for who they are as people, not for the color of their skin. We all bleed the same, so we should treat each other equally.
