Questioning Validity of the Concept of “Race” But Not Suggesting That “Racism” Doesn't Exist
Raymond Two Hawks Watson, MINDSETTER™
Questioning Validity of the Concept of “Race” But Not Suggesting That “Racism” Doesn't Exist
Dr. King, Jr has undoubtedly been a motivating factor for generations looking to make a positive impact on their communities. For myself, Dr. King Jr has been a compelling force not only because of his life’s work to empower marginalized communities, but also because of his status as a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, and because of his acknowledgment of the importance of the American Indian experience in America. Dr. King Jr. was a true voice for the people, yet there remains much work to be done to truly achieve Dr. King, Jr’s dream.
Dr. King Jr’s “I have a dream speech” is arguably his most well-known and oft-quoted speech. I’m sure that many of us can repeat his iconic words by heart; “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by their character.” The question begs to be asked; with all the honor given to Dr. King Jr and his dream over the past sixty years, how does contemporary society find itself still plagued by racial division, unrest, and oppression? In this Contributor’s humble opinion, in large part the issue is that there is no achieving Dr. King Jr’s dream so long as contemporary society continues to operate through a racial lens.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDespite what we’ve been led to believe, race does not actually exist. Race is a social construct that was developed as a tool to further enable colonization of foreign lands and people by European powers. Tracing the history of race in American society, the concept was not prevalent in American colonies until the late 17th century, after the Bacon’s Rebellion of 1676. To quell future uprisings among the disenfranchised and marginalized but unified Europeans, Africans, and American Indians living collectively in the colonies, the British introduced the concept of race into American society. This divisive concept not only successfully secured the British hold on the American colonies for the next century, but as America grew and expanded the concept further justified and encouraged the forceful taking of American Indian lands and enslavement of “negros." Indeed, history shows that many of the ethnic and cultural groups recognized as “white” in contemporary American society were not considered as such when their ancestors first arrived and began the assimilation process.
Tying my remarks back to Dr. King Jr’s speech, if contemporary society can confirm a point in American history when race was not the determining factor, and if contemporary society understands the historic intention of introducing race into the American colonies, why does contemporary society persist in embracing race? What is it about race that simply won’t allow Americans to not choose to put skin tone first? More importantly, what real honor does contemporary society bring to Dr. King Jr’s dream or legacy if contemporary society continues to conduct itself in a fashion that runs contrary to what Dr. King Jr sought to achieve?
Now, let me be very clear. While I am questioning the validity of the concept of “race,” by no means am I suggesting that “racism” does not exist. In fact, let me state it clear, unequivocal, and for the record; race doesn’t exist, but racism… racism is real. Don’t take my word for it, either. Go and read the City of Providence’s 2021 “A Matter of Truth” report to learn about the historic impacts of overt and antipathetic forms of racism on the African heritage and Indigenous communities of Providence. For those of us who do not identify as such, go and ask your older family members what their experience was like assimilating into American society when they first arrived and weren’t considered “white”. Racism is real.
Which is why criticism levied at Critical Race Theory by politicians such as Rhode Island Representative Morgan and Florida Governor DeSantis—especially when they invoke the words of Dr. King Jr—ring so hollow, disingenuous, and uninformed. For those of us whose lives have been impacted personally, communally, and generationally by thinly veiled racist ideologies played out in the form of government policy, simply pretending that racism doesn’t exist won’t get the job done. Unfortunately, in the real world where countless lives have been affected, wishful thinking and savvy remarks do not change the reality of America’s history.
This January 17, as you reflect upon his legacy, take time to consider what Dr. King Jr was truly trying to convey with his life’s work. Contemporary society cannot achieve Dr. King Jr’s dream by continuing to adopt race as the foundation of its existence. Nor can contemporary society simply pretend that the impacts of racism aren’t real, present, and persistent. Contemporary society must find the balance. For if not, sixty years from now we will still be singing the same songs of honor, still celebrating the same holidays, still giving out the same awards, and still not achieving Dr. King Jr’s dream.
Race isn’t real, but racism is… and if we’re going to realize Dr. King Jr’s dream then-contemporary society needs to be doing more about it.
Not that you asked, but that’s my three cents, in case you were wondering.
Two Hawks
Watson is a civil rights leader in Rhode Island. He has an accomplished career in business. He is the founder of the Providence Cultural Equity Initiative. Watson holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Union College in NY, a Master's Degree in Community Planning from the University of Rhode Island, and is a current Juris Doctorate Candidate at the Roger Williams University School of Law. Watson is also the recipient of the Rhode Island Foundation’s 2016 Innovation Fellowship.