“The myth of Transracialism”
Rebecca Tuvel presents her argument that considerations that support transgenderism extend to transracialism, given the parity Tuvel says, “Since we should accept transgender individuals…we should accept transracialism.” Tuvel concludes, that if some individuals genuinely feel like or identity as members of a race other than the one assigned at birth—so strongly to the point of seeking transition to the other race—we should accept their transition. In the hopes of providing a balanced discussion, Tuvel explores four possible objections to the idea of transracialism. I will argue in opposition to Tuvel’s view that transgenderism is comparable with transracialism.
Rejecting and debunking Charles Mills’ definition …show more content…
America was not always divided based on racial identity. Before the growth of the transatlantic slave trade, race was not used in America to divide and create a discriminatory class system of oppression and pain. A paper presented by Audrey Smedley, Professor of Anthropology, sponsored by Emerita Virginia Commonwealth University stated, “In fact, numerous court records provide clear evidence that these 17th century Africans did not act differently from whites of the same social class.” (Smedley) One of the first scientists to create and define racial categories was Carl Linnaeus, in the late 17th century. Pamela R. Willoughby describes Linnaeus’ scientific observations in her book “The Evolution of Modern Humans in Africa: A Comprehensive Guide”. Willoughby states, “Linnaeus made a bold move to suggest that humans had a biological connection to other animals” also that “Homo sapiens should be separated into geographic groups according to the ‘races’ recognized during his lifetime.” Many philosophers and scientist expanded upon h Linnaeus’ ideas in this time period. Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, a German physician, naturalist, physiologist, and anthropologist hypothesized five racial classifications “Black, yellow, brown, white and red”. Blumenbach supported his idea that physical characteristics like skin color, and cranial profile, depended on geography, diet, …show more content…
Many people only recognize one race, the human race. What people who make that statement are trying to communicate is that they reject scientific racism and they want people to be looked at and treated equally. I believe that they resort to this simplistic idea because they haven’t adequately research and looked into the biological factors that go into defining race. The American Journal of Physical Anthropology, in 1996 defined race as “Biological differences between human beings reflect both hereditary factors and the influence of natural and social environments” (American Journal of Physical Anthropology). This is a clearer definition of what I classify as race. Race is not homo sapiens vs other but genetic diversity and groupings within the human race. Genetics affects race in several different factors. The amount of melanin causes a person to look black or white, “Melanin is a complex polymer derived from the amino acid tyrosine. Melanin is responsible for determining skin and hair color and is present in the skin to varying degrees; depending on how much a population has been exposed to the sun historically.” (Mandal) According to the U.S government’s genetic reference website, “Eye color is determined by variations in a person’s genes.” This site also states, “The MC1R gene provides instructions for making a protein
Rebecca Tuvel presents her argument that considerations that support transgenderism extend to transracialism, given the parity Tuvel says, “Since we should accept transgender individuals…we should accept transracialism.” Tuvel concludes, that if some individuals genuinely feel like or identity as members of a race other than the one assigned at birth—so strongly to the point of seeking transition to the other race—we should accept their transition. In the hopes of providing a balanced discussion, Tuvel explores four possible objections to the idea of transracialism. I will argue in opposition to Tuvel’s view that transgenderism is comparable with transracialism.
Rejecting and debunking Charles Mills’ definition …show more content…
America was not always divided based on racial identity. Before the growth of the transatlantic slave trade, race was not used in America to divide and create a discriminatory class system of oppression and pain. A paper presented by Audrey Smedley, Professor of Anthropology, sponsored by Emerita Virginia Commonwealth University stated, “In fact, numerous court records provide clear evidence that these 17th century Africans did not act differently from whites of the same social class.” (Smedley) One of the first scientists to create and define racial categories was Carl Linnaeus, in the late 17th century. Pamela R. Willoughby describes Linnaeus’ scientific observations in her book “The Evolution of Modern Humans in Africa: A Comprehensive Guide”. Willoughby states, “Linnaeus made a bold move to suggest that humans had a biological connection to other animals” also that “Homo sapiens should be separated into geographic groups according to the ‘races’ recognized during his lifetime.” Many philosophers and scientist expanded upon h Linnaeus’ ideas in this time period. Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, a German physician, naturalist, physiologist, and anthropologist hypothesized five racial classifications “Black, yellow, brown, white and red”. Blumenbach supported his idea that physical characteristics like skin color, and cranial profile, depended on geography, diet, …show more content…
Many people only recognize one race, the human race. What people who make that statement are trying to communicate is that they reject scientific racism and they want people to be looked at and treated equally. I believe that they resort to this simplistic idea because they haven’t adequately research and looked into the biological factors that go into defining race. The American Journal of Physical Anthropology, in 1996 defined race as “Biological differences between human beings reflect both hereditary factors and the influence of natural and social environments” (American Journal of Physical Anthropology). This is a clearer definition of what I classify as race. Race is not homo sapiens vs other but genetic diversity and groupings within the human race. Genetics affects race in several different factors. The amount of melanin causes a person to look black or white, “Melanin is a complex polymer derived from the amino acid tyrosine. Melanin is responsible for determining skin and hair color and is present in the skin to varying degrees; depending on how much a population has been exposed to the sun historically.” (Mandal) According to the U.S government’s genetic reference website, “Eye color is determined by variations in a person’s genes.” This site also states, “The MC1R gene provides instructions for making a protein