Racialism Essay, Research Paper

Kwame Anthony Appiah addresses the issues of racialism, intrinsic racism, and

extrensic racism in his article entitled RACISMS. However, after analyzing Appiah?s

views on racism and its different forms, his views on the theoretical validity of racialism

and extrinsic racism are seriously doubted.

Appiah defines racialism as ?the view that there are essentail characteristics that allow

us to classify people into distinct races, each of which shares certain traits and

tendencies?. On this topic, Appiah thinks that this theory, or way of categorizing people

is false. He thinks that it is merely an excuse for people to practice types of racism.

Among the two most distinct types of racism are intrinsic and extrinsic.

Intrinsic racism consists of people who differentiate morally between members of

different races because they ?believe that each race has a different moral status, quite

independent of the moral characteristics entailed by its racial essence.? For the intrinsic

racist there is no moral, intellectual, cultural, or perhaps even physical trait or act in

relevancy to a member of another race that would merit equal treament.

Extrinsic racists make moral distinctions between members of other races because

they believe that the racial essence entails certain morally relevant qualities. The

extrinsic racist?s discrimintation stems from the belief that different races are different

genetically, and these genetic differences constitute different treatment and expectations.

Even with evidence that states otherwise, evidence that points that a person of another

race is intelligent, or noble, there is nothing that can deter the extrinsic racist?s

perceptions about those of another race. But, the extrinsic racist may in fact have friends

or loved ones in that race.It is this belief that leads Appiah to believe that these

individuals have a ?cognitive incapacity?, or an inability to reason.

Appiah comments early on that racialism is a false concept, or view. His grounds for

his claim is that it serves as a presupposition to two types of racism, extrinsic and

intrinsic. However, he is only keeping in consideration a few results and purposes of

racialism.

When Appiah looks at racialism, he sees that it is a science that allows us to classify

people into distinct races based on character traits and tendencies. In his perspective, this

serves no further purpose but to validate racism, and that it is a concept that is false in

theory. The truth of the matter is there are certain obvious differences based on race.

Most apparent is skin color, and other physical characteristics like hair, eyes, lips, etc.

That fact alone weakens Appiah?s argument racialism is false. This weakens Appiah?s

argument because when he says that racialism is false in theory, part of what he saying

that either there are no traits that allow us to classify people into races. Certain physical

characteristics are evident in races and allows us to classify by race.

The second part of Appiah?s argument regarding racialism is that racialism also

classifies on character tendencies originating from race. It is generally agreed that race

had no create character tendencies, morals, and actions. However, race can indirectly

play a role in the development of many characteristics. Race is becoming less of a factor

as more and more people engage in racial mixed relationships. But it is a factor. Certain

races are more inclined to be a part of certain cultures, with their own respective value

systems.

For instance, being born Chinese does not automatically make you good at kung-fu,

give you more of a natural ability to draw, or a more respectable person. However, due to

the history of the chinese, and the culture behind it their are certain traits that a chinese

individual would be more likely to take on. Chinese may be more likey to draw well

because of calligraphy, in which every word is basically a little picture. this obviously

would help to develop control over the pen. The culture of the chinese has a very heavy

influence on respecting one?s parents and the elderly, which would undoubtably make

older individuals seem more honorable or wise.

So in that case, race does indeed have an impact on character tendencies and

behavior. It shows that race can have a connection to culture and upbringing, which does

relate to the type of person that will develop. This is where Appiah?s theory that

racialism is a presupposition to to racism comes into play. These cultural characteristics

can easily be mistaken for racial characteristics. Also, none of these traits are absolute, or

definate. Culture does not have the power to dictate a person?s morality, behavior, and

abilities, but it can influence these things. This , unfortunately, leads to stereotypes, both

good and bad.

For example, it is assumed that if you?re black, you have an inclination for basketball,

you dance well, and you commit street robberies. Here, Appiah is correct, there are no

grounds for somebody to assume this based on race, it is theoreticaly wrong, and morally

wrong. There no universal law that states that if you are born black, you will be good at

basketball.

But, to make no prejudgement on a person, in its own twisted way, is perhaps just as

wrong as to make assumptions. When we have these thoughts based on race, we are

acknowledging the differences between people, and the problems with society.

Blacks are among the most recent group in our society to establish themselves as

equal. They suffer strongly from others? racist beliefs, and are often percieved to be

people they are not. When we are walking down the street at night, if we have the option

to walk past a black man, and a white man, chances are we?ll walk past the white man,

because there is a racist perception of blacks being more inclined to do something violent

to us. This belief holds down blacks, and other minorities, and can prevent them from

getting the opportuinities to improve their lives. This in turn may put minorities in a

position where they have to focus on increasing their physical abilities, to excel in a sport

to get what they want, or it may make crime a more viable solution. This then creates an

opportunity for those who are racist to strengthen their racist beliefs. They pay no

attention to any of the good deeds or qualities, as Appiah has mentioned in his extrinsic

racism theory, but they seem to pay attention to the bad.

Also, it can be said that there is some theoretical truth to extrinsic racism. Appiah

argues that extrinsic racism is theoretically and morally wrong. There are not too many

rational people who will argue that any type of racism is right, so there is a general

consensus of agreement there. However, Appiah?s definition is a bit vague on how

extrinsic racism is theoretically wrong in relating genetic coding to intellectual and moral

traits. What about genetic defects? There are some diseases or genetic anomalies that are

more prevalent in some races than others. If there was a genetic mutation that affects

thinking, perhaps some form of retardation or down syndrome, are we to regard that as

extrinsic racism? This would be a case in which intelligence would undoubtably be

affected by genetics. Also, it is controversial whether intelligence affects morality. Can a

man who is not aware, or is mentally unable to be aware of his moral obligations be held

accountable for moral crimes? These are all questions that Appiah leaves open to

judgement when with his statement that extrinsic racism is theoretically false. Obviously,

there can be differences that affect intelligence, and perhaps even morality by genetics.

These instances are not the norm, but they are possibilties.

It can be agreed with Appiah that all forms of racism are morally wrong, and there are

different forms of racism.However, Appiah?s arguments that the different forms of

racism and racialism are theoretically wrong, or impossible, are unsound and leave open

too much room for questioning. However, Appiah?s views opens the question that if

racism is so widely accepted as morally wrong, what keeps us all committing acts of

racism?Is it fear, or is it a need to feel superior? Or is it just a flaw in human logic?