People made Races

As a person of mixed heritage, in a multi-ethnic marriage, I can't help but feel that the idea of Race is kind of silly. We as humans are a very small species, meaning that genetic variations in our populations are dramatically less pronounced than in other species.

There is an anecdote related to our closeness that I am pretty sure is true but can't fact-check. Here goes:

At the generation of Julius Caesar, all of humanity is related by blood. So, in recorded history, we are all related. Wow!

A certain set of phenotypes makes us label one group "White," another "Black." Cultural baggage comes hand-in-hand with judgment on who belongs to what group. That has to change.

Going back to biology, these phenotypical differences are the result of population bottlenecks, family and clan groups being separated in geography for generations. To put it simply, people made Race. That's all. I get scared when people ascribe Divine guidance in the creation of Race. It's clearly not true (at least from my perspective) and it begs the question: Which group is better?

It's great that we're not all the same. It's nice that the geographic distinctions that separated sections of humanity for so long are evaporating in the increasing connectedness of the modern world. Let's make the most of what we've got. Let's share cultural differences, marvel at the similarities. Understanding comes from sharing.

Race is going to disappear. I am on the vanguard of that change. Hopefully, when people un-make Race, they'll be room for cultural difference.