Why Are People So Racially Sensitive?

Race is a subject that often elicits strong emotions and reactions. I believe it is because it is so deeply rooted in our biology, history, family, and upbringing. It is not supposed to be a central part of our lives, but in reality, it often is. I have seen many a black man form relationships with and date women of a different skin color without issue, but when it comes to black women, there is a different dynamic at play.

When it comes to race, people often have tribal instincts. They desire a sense of belonging to a certain 'tribe' based not on their character or achievements, but rather on something they are born with and do not have to earn. Race is something that is easy to see, and it requires no technical skills to understand. Furthermore, race is something people have no control over, much unlike one's occupation, skills, or location. You can change your job, learn new skills, and move locations, but you cannot change your race. However, it is important to note that your race can change depending on where you are. For instance, a Japanese person in the US is Asian, but becomes white when going to Brazil. Similarly, a Jew in the US is white, but might not be considered white when in Europe.

The Impact of Uncontrollability

Due to the uncontrollable nature of race, criticism directed at an entire race is not well-received and often leads to controversy and ethnic tensions. The fact that race is something people are born with, and not something they can earn, means that discussions around race can easily attract participants who are poorly educated, misinformed, or irrational. This has resulted in some of the more bizarre and offensive views being prevalent in society today:

White nationalists who think Jews are encouraging race-mixing in "white" European countries to lower the IQ of the masses and enslave them. White nationalists who desire to ethnically cleanse the US and/or Europe of non-white people and establish an ethnostate. Black nationalists who believe they are the true 'Jews' and are out for revenge on white people. Conversations about how certain races cannot be racist towards other races based solely on their race. Simultaneous criticism of phenomena like white flight and demand for racial segregation in the form of safe spaces.

Comparison with Other Fields

Compare these racial discussions to fields that require technical skills, such as medicine, programming, or engineering. One will never witness the outrageous horseplay that occurs in areas like race discussions in these technical fields. This is one of the reasons why college majors in the humanities, like literature and gender studies, are often looked down upon. The ease with which nonsense can be spread online, combined with the rising polarization and radical positions on social media, has contributed to the prevalence of these views.

My family immigrated to the US from a place where they were ethnic minorities and faced discrimination, only to find that the US is a country increasingly polarized and divided. Furthermore, people I know have claimed that their experiences must have been invalid because the USSR was a communist country, apparently. This is why race is such a sensitive issue. While it can be argued that racial sensitivity is supposedly overly sensitive, it would be best if society did not prioritize race, and everyone could move past it.

It is my hope that we can move towards a society that does not see race as an important issue. In a world where race is not seen as a defining characteristic, society can truly progress and thrive. I believe in a future where everyone's character and achievements are celebrated, rather than the color of their skin.