Does your race define you as a person?

FOR A CLASS ASSIGNMENT, WE WATCHED A DOCUMENTARY CALLED RACE: The Power of an Illusion. HERE IS WHAT I TOOK FROM THE FILM. ENJOY. 

The term race is a grouping of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into categories generally viewed as distinct by society. It is one's physical features such as skin, hair, bone structure, and eye color. Some of us share the same races, however, others don't. The illusion of race is that it can be perceived incorrectly. When looking at someone, you may think they are a particular race but they may not identify with that race. For example, if you meet someone for the first time and you assume they are African American because of their hair and skin color, it doesn't automatically mean that they call themselves black or African American. They may actually identify themselves as Asian or White. Here is where race gets tricky. That's the illusion part. Just because we categorize someone as a specific race, does not mean that it is what they believe they are. In America, there are several categories of race but there are 5 most common: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and White.

In my opinion, we should not be placed into categories in the first place because at the end of the day, we are all human beings. I believe that race is what divides us. It keeps us against each other, thinking that we all do not share common qualities. On the other hand, it may signify ones upbringing and culture. It can also define who we may relate to more.I also believe that race is a means to label people and sometimes people don't fit into labels. Sometimes, people don't want to be labeled. They simply just want to be themselves. The inner person is who we can change. The outer is what we were given at birth or what some of us change with clothes, makeup or even plastic surgery.

If we ever have the opportunity to get to know each other past appearances, we may find that we actually have a lot in common. I believe that as an African American, our abilities, talents, and skills make us who we are as a whole. But our individuality is who we are as a being. It is beautiful that we all have something different about us, yet we are very alike. If more people understood this about AA, we may be accepted more and recognized for who we are not what we do.

What or who defines you as a person?: Is it your race, your appearance, your character or your works? I urge you to think about this and how it affects your life. We are defined by our character and who we are as a person, not what we look like on the outside.