Keidi Awadu

Moving Beyond Race-Ism Keidi Awadu

Vaguely defined frontlines characterize one "racial group" from another based upon an inconsistent range of variables, including skin pigmentation, physiological features, the geography of birth, and religion despite the fact that, even within each "racial group," such measurements differ widely. Along the fault lines separating one group from another, within each race camp individuals and organizations stand ever vigilant, hoisting the banner of racial pride as a rallying cry, all the while insisting upon their self-anointed "sanctimonious" leadership. I propose that we consider that adherence to a central theme of racial identity has become limiting and too often a limit to rational thought. We can shift to the significance of culture as a unifying force. I have become convinced that it is culture and not race that is the more practical unifying force for the future. Culture is only partially determined by "racial identity," and that is an inconsistent variable.