Brain and Race or Ethnicity

Admittedly my brain struggles to understand some of the current problems surrounding race or ethnic differences as I am told is now the correct term. I grew up believing that most anthropologists recognize only 3 or 4 main races on this planet—although a 1998 study published in the Scientific American estimated there were 5,000 ethnic groups—and that we’re all members of the same species, Homo sapiens. I also grew up believing that abusive, violent, and destructive behaviors are unacceptable, period; and that those who engage in them need to understand that the way they are perceived by others results from the observation of their behaviors. I know that my life has been completely enriched through collaboration, interaction, and friendship with brains that are housed in bodies that differ racially or ethnically from mine, although our brains and hearts are all the same color. Cellular memory differs, too, but then epigenetics differs for every person on the planet because every brain is different. Recently I enjoyed the perspective offered in short monologue by Clint Smith entitled ‘How Black Reality and White Reality Differ, from Growing up to Parenting Kids.’ As you may know, Clint is a teacher, poet, and doctoral candidate in Education at Harvard University with a concentration in Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS)—he may be done by now! 

 

http://bigthink.com/videos/clint-smith-on-police-and-black-american-relations