“The Big Myth: Race and Classification” is a series of blog postings with one goal in mind: To help enlighten the uninformed and prove that race is only an idea and social construct designed to divide like human beings

Growing up as a little boy in Detroit, Michigan, I often questioned my family about racial classification in America. I couldn’t understand at the time why a family so diverse in skin tones and features could be broadly classified as “Blacks” or “African-Americans”. I had a strong disconnect with these labels and what I witnessed in my own surroundings. Something was seriously wrong. I couldn’t accept this seemingly baseless idea without doing some digging of my own.

As I grew older, my criticism of race as an idea grew more intense. I sought out literature and research on racial classification. The things I learned would only confirm what I long suspected: There really wasn’t a thing such as race. It was an idea — Founded by man — to carry on our obsession with segregated thinking with regard to human beings.

By now, many of you aware of my views regarding racial classification. There are also readers of my blog who believe I am doing a disservice to “related peoples” of the past. I disagree. Like millions of other people, we were born into a socially oppressed era where ideas to control and divide people ruled. We were raised and taught to accept this idea in our schools, churches and colleges. For me, I couldn’t accept this nonsense. I couldn’t agree to the terms of an idea that was forced upon my identity. I couldn’t accept my identity — Or that of my family’s — Being swept under a big rug to cover up who we really were as individuals and human beings.

I’d like to encourage you to read about the origins of racial classification. This is the only way to inspire people to change the way they see and view race in America and around the world. The more we collectively understand, the better we can relate to each other. Of course, I know there are those who simply won’t bother with this stuff, simply because they’re already convinced that race truly does exist. For those who care about the details — And especially the truth — Here’s a starting point:

Let’s start with the “Caucasian race” (via Wikipedia):

The Caucasian race, sometimes called the Caucasoid race,[1][2] is defined by the Compact Oxford English Dictionary of Current English as “relating to a broad division of humankind covering peoples from Europe, Western Asia, parts of the Indian Subcontinent and North Africa” or “white-skinned; of European origin” or “relating to the region of the Caucasus in SE Europe”.[3] The concept originated in attempts chiefly by 19th c. European thinkers to develop a method of racial classification. This typological method was discredited and the concept is not relied on in scientific work related to humans.[4][5] However, it survives along with the similar classification “white” on many sociological studies, most of which require respondents to choose their “race” from a list of terms. Some also allow “other” or “mixed”. The idea is to use the self-selected classification (sometimes selected by the surveyor by appearance) for correllational studies, sometimes in conjunction with other sciences, especially medicine and public health. People in Europe, especially in Russia and nearby, generally use the term “Caucasian” exclusively to identify people who are from the Caucasus region or who speak the Caucasian languages.

Origins of the term (“Caucasian”)

The term “Caucasian” originated as one of the racial categories developed in the 19th century by people studying craniology. It was derived from the region of the Caucasus mountains[6]. The 18th century German philosopher Christoph Meiners first named the concept of the Caucasian race[7], but the term was more widely popularized in the 19th c. under the name “Varietas Caucasia” by the German scientist and naturalist, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach (1752-1840) who “borrowed the name Caucasian” from Meiners.[8] Blumenbach based the classification of the Caucasian race primarily on skull features, which Blumenbach claimed were optimized by the Caucasian peoples,[9] particularly a single skull from the Caucasia which resembled German skulls.[10] It was from this similarity that he conjectured Europeans having arisen in the Caucasia.[10] Blumenbach wrote about the “primeval”[7] Caucasian race which he believed was “the oldest race of man”[7] and the “first variety of humankind”[7].

Are you convinced yet that you’ve been duped into accepting a non-existing classification? Ready for more enlightenment? Continue reading the Wikipedia article.

It seems that, anytime I raise awareness about my disdain for social constructs (race, religion, etc.), there’s always an opposition army willing and waiting to tell me that I’m crazy, delusional or unstable. In my recent posts about not being an African-American and calling for unity in America, the usual crowd circled my blog, throwing darts and chanting, “This negro has lost his mind.”

The opponents of my viewpoints regarding race remind me of those from my childhood: They fear change, they fear being individuals. I’m comfortable walking my own path in life. I don’t need to broadcast my allegiance to any brotherhood, group or membership (e.g., “the race card”, which most Americans today use). I am committed to my values, committed to my beliefs, which are both healthy and sound.

The difference between myself and America is this: I understand that race doesn’t exist. And with this understanding, I don’t practice the belief that it does. It’s really that simple.

Like myself and millions more, Barack Obama’s identity and background spans more than just one continent. While it is true that the modern day Homo Sapien — You and I — started in Africa, we have also evolved throughout the world and adapted to regions we could call ‘home’.

Our history as human beings is evident in our influences, our history and our values. Our family tree is expansive and diverse. To deny this fact with socially divisive language as Americans are known for today, we ensure that we forget about our history and true identity as human beings.

We can no longer afford this divisive tone in America. We can no longer afford to categorize each other. Doing so only causes further harm to our future and progress here in America and around the world.

If we as human beings and Americans truly desire change, we’ll change our divisive tone and recognize that America and its home continent — North America — belongs to no one individual or “social group”.

We must change our ways not just in Washington, D.C., but around America as well. Do not sit idle waiting for change in the White House. Real change begins with you. Change in the White House is simply a bonus. We are a nation of 300 Million individuals. There is power and influence in numbers, if we only so desire to have it.

Here’s to peace and unity in America.

This is America. The land of immigrants. The land of neutralized citizens. The land of courage. The land of freedom. The land of the people.

If this is America, then why must my fellow Americans hyphenate my identity? Why must they brand me as a color that I’m not? Why must they view me as someone of less importance? Don’t tell me it’s because of Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson. I have no association with them. They do not represent me. I represent myself.

Why do Americans refuse to understand the origins of race? Why do Americans refuse to understand social constructs? Why do Americans continue the facade that they are patriotic, when they cannot even view the people of this land as equals?

Let’s face it, America: Race doesn’t exist. However, I know most of you cannot accept this truth. You can, though, accept what you’re told by your parents, peers, churches and the media. You can accept baseless myths from the bible. You can accept hearsay as the gospel.

I am tired of Americans calling me an “African-American”. I am tired of Americans calling me “Black”. I am tired of Americans calling me a “minority”. I am tired of correcting Americans on my identity.

I wasn’t born in Africa.
My skin isn’t Black.
I’m not a minority.

I’m an individual.
I’m a man of courage, strength, endurance, intelligence and love.
I’m a human being.
I’m an American.

If you see me on the street or have a conversation with me, please remember this post. I think it’s about time to lay to rest these outdated and baseless beliefs and myths.

I am a huge opponent of a “race-based” society. Further, I do not believe in the idea of race in the grand scheme of humanity. To be frank, it’s all nonsense — It’s one more concept to maintain the illusion of division and differences among human beings.

Startup Story Radio hosts Rob McNealy and Dave Taylor invited me to the studios of 760 AM on March 1 to discuss my views on race and social constructs.

Show description via Startup Story:

Rob McNealy and Dave Taylor interview Ronald Lewis about breaking “social constructs.” Ron grew up with all the disadvantages of living in inner city Detroit, and has become a social media legend.

Click here to listen to the interview or use the embedded player below.

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