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Entry: Two New Myth-Busting Books Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/two_new_myth_busting_books#5006 Post contents: Mr Cathey, Thank you for addressing your remark to me with such generosity. You wrote: "But race exists, not only as a biological fact but in reality and in our everyday lives..." I agree in part, but I disagree with the way in which you say this. "Race exists", yes but how and why? You say it's "a biological fact", and there I mostly disagree; or rather, I agree that there IS SOME truth in saying "race is a biological fact" - but the problem is, that a "fact" is inseparable from how it is stated. The "fact" of race - like all facts - is inseparable from what goes on in our minds, as mutual cause and effect. I agree that there are some vaguely, negotiably definable "racial characteristics." This is just common sense. Obviously my very light skin and green eyes indicate that I'm mostly of European descent. But that says less about me qualitatively than my more important characteristics (the most important ones are the results of my own choices), like the "facts" that I love cats and spicy food (these are not racial characteristics at all), and the more important facts that I prefer Fitzgerald and Poe over the charlatan Hemingway; and then the most important fact is that I identify myself as a Christian more than I identify with any race or nationality or state - as do many non-whites. In other words, more simply, the "biological fact" of race is one of the LEAST important facts about any person's identity, or personality, or soul. And you suggested: 1. "recognize the existence of race, and that races will reflect, in fine, differing characteristics" Yes I do recognise "race" exists at least in our own minds, but the next question is, for what purpose? And how much importance do those "differing characteristics" really have? And how much importance SHOULD they have? 2. "that throughout most of history ethnic groups have tended to associate with others of their ilk" But an "ethnic group" is not the same as race, and most wars and atrocities have been between people of apparently SAME races. The First World War, and virtually the entire history (both written and unwritten) of the myriad peoples of Africa. And the war between China and Japan in 1937-1945. 3. "pride in one’s ethnic group does not have to be necessarily scorn and hatred for another’s group" Partly true, but two problems here: a. See above, an ethnic group is not the same as "race", and b. "Pride" in an ethnic or racial group is a fetish, at least from a Christian perspective. Respecting and honouring one's heritage and nation is one thing, but being "proud" of it is something else altogether. How can I possibly take "pride" in my having green eyes? I didn't choose that. All I can be proud of (insofar as any personal "pride" is legitimate at all in God's eyes), is how I use my eyes, and what I choose to do about what I see. Sent at: 2008 05 16