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Race Definition Essay

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There are many ways to define and use the word race; however, many people use the word race as a weapon to hurt others. Ever since "scientific" research was done "proving" that one race was superior to other race has stuck around defining and grouping people. Throughout history the word race has had a major impact on society. Although many people embrace their race because it is a major part of who they are as a person, others see it as a threat to who they are and their way of life. Just as race was a problem back in 1950 it continues to be a problem in present time. However, race changes based on time, location, and culture.
The word race has various definitions. One definition is "The Only Race is the Human Race." The meaning this definition …show more content…

However, many times the idea of race has challenged people into being who they really are. For example, the story with Jesus Colon explains how he was conflicted on whether or not to help a women just because she was white and he was Puerto Rican and had darker skin. It is understandable that he had doubts because around that same time Emmett Till, a 14 year old boy, was brutally murdered in the South for whistling at a white girl. Needless to say, it is sad how someone had to think twice before helping someone because of racial barriers. Just like they’re are people who embrace and accept their race, there are others who would do anything to change it as it seems to pose a threat to their way of life. An example of this is seen in the story “Things Are Not Always What They Seem.” In this story Susie Phipps is a white women who applies for a copy of her birth certificate. Her whole life she was told she was white but then all of a sudden her birth certificate says she is black because her 64th great-great-great-great grandparents 200 years ago were African American. At the time, in Louisiana she was considered black for being 3% African American despite being 97% white. She was so ashamed at what her birth certificate said that she spent $20,000 just to change her birth

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