Introduction
Scientists have repeatedly attempted to classify the representatives of humanity according to their external features, just as they did with animals, insects, or plants. Skin color, eyes, and nose hair served as markers confirming the biological basis of racial differences. Agustin Fuentes in his essay The Myth of Race, dissects established myths, shows their failure, and proves that racial prejudices have not disappeared anywhere and continue to exist alongside ideas of equality and human rights. He uses a variety of approaches to convince the audience, prove himself right, and ultimately win over his side to call for decisive action.
Summary
The theory of Agustín Fuentes states that from a biological point of view, races do not exist; human creatures are a single indivisible class. However, race and racism exist as social and cultural phenomena in society. Fuentes tests his theory with evidence, reasoning, and conclusions. Evidence includes studies of DNA structure in people of different races and data from official documents, academic literature, and personal experience that can be cross-checked.
Description
Agustín Fuentes, Professor of Anthropology, in his essay The Myth of Race, argues that racial issues have not disappeared and prejudice is still prevalent in society. He begins by discussing opposing opinions and places readers in an impossible conflict. Stasis discusses the biological basis for different races’ cultural and social characteristics. Thus, the American Association of Physical Anthropologists (AAPA) states no causal relationship exists “between physical and behavioral traits” (Fuentes et al. 401). Therefore, it is wrong to attribute cultural characteristics to genetic inheritance. The second opinion belongs to Phillipe Rushton, the psychologist (Greene and Lidinsky 631). On the contrary, he argues that race affects children’s development, intelligence, and a tendency to violence. This view has been widely held for hundreds of years at the level of politics, structure, social connections, and academia.
Fuentes takes on the role of a leader, looking for a way to resolve the conflict. First, he listed attempts to classify races scientifically on the external features of people or their geographical residence. Fuentes immediately refuted the studies’ conclusions, citing blood tests as evidence. He showed that none of the ABO gene alleles is unique to any race, and none of the ABO patterns correspond to the biological classifications of races. In other words, race has nothing to do with genetics or culture.
The social preconceptions and prejudices about races arise from the fact that people know little about the biology and genetics of human beings. Fuentes is sure that “homo sapiens is one species, undivided into races or subspecies” (Greene and Lidinsky 639). If biological races are a myth, race as a social phenomenon matters. Studies show that almost 90% of doctoral degrees in the US are awarded to white people (Dutt 2). Dutt argues that people do not notice discrimination if they are not a discriminated group (2). For instance, only 25% of American university presidents say race relations are good in society, but 80% of presidents rated race relations on their campuses as good or excellent (Dutt 2). Such results suggest that people may be drawn into discrimination unconsciously and refuse to admit it out of shame or fear.
Fuentes also analyzes systemic racism using the example of official authorities’ definition of a person’s race. The instructions say to define race based on self-determination. He discovers that “blacks” are distinguished from other categories. Black people are defined as “racial groups”, while other people are called “original peoples” (Greene and Lidinsky 642). Fuentes is sure that the real reasons for these are not people’s characteristics but history, culture, and politics.
Fuentes backs up his position with additional statistics that show that blacks and Hispanics are more discriminated groups than Asians or whites. They earn less, have less insurance, and become homeless more often. He concludes that race, as a biological subject, does not exist. Nevertheless, it plays a massive role in people’s social lives and can theoretically influence biology. Fuentes ends his essay by citing the song “Your Racist Friend” by They Might Be Giants, which denounces tacit consent and support for racist statements. The author encourages readers not to be silent and actively engage in a discussion about racism, convincing loved ones of the failure of racist theories.
Rhetorical Analysis
The author aimed to convince readers that racial prejudice is scientifically unfounded and useless. The only thing that reinforces racial discrimination is people’s actions because of their cultural, historical, or political background. Fuentes gives evidence and inspires readers to participate in discussions about racism and oppose judgments that discriminate against other people. Fuentes used a wide range of rhetorical appeals to convince the reader. From the beginning, he uses his Ethos to put himself in a leadership position and invites readers to follow him. His authority is strengthened when he helps readers get out of the Stasis he creates by giving opposing opinions. At first, it seems impossible to prove the correctness of any answers, but gradually Fuentes shows this answer.
Fuentes uses Logos to find the correct answers. In the “blood” section, he dwells on studies of human DNA in relation to their race. The evidence helps to conclude that biological races do not exist. He further puts forward the following theory that race is a social phenomenon. He again uses Logos to prove the facts of discrimination. He refers to statistics, official documents, and academic research. In addition, he shares his observations from pharmacies and restaurants.
Most of the text is in an academic and strict style. Instead of emotions, the author appeals to the mind and common sense of readers. He shares formal and scientific knowledge, arming readers with evidence for future discussions. Only at the end, Fuentes changes his usual style and uses Pathos by citing the song’s line: “But I feel like a hypocrite talking to you/ You and your racist friend” (Greene and Lidinsky 647). He repeats the word “hypocrite”, contrasting it with “myth busters,” and calls on every reader to become myth busters to fight racial stereotypes and discrimination.
Conclusion
Fuentes, in his essay, did not just want to put forward and prove his theory. The real goal is to convince readers of their point of view, give them knowledge and evidence, and inspire them to debate racial injustice and discrimination. Theories and proofs have become the only tools to achieve the final goal. In addition to objective facts, statistics, observations, and conclusions, Fuentes used Pathos to inspire readers to take action. He uses a stylistic device, contrasting hypocrites and myth busters, to reinforce his appeal. Ultimately, the essay proved effective, fulfilling its purpose – convincing and inspiring.
Works Cited
Dutt, Kuheli. “Race and Racism in the Geosciences.” Nature Geoscience vol. 13, no. 1, 2020, pp. 2-3, Web.
Fuentes, Agustín, et al. “AAPA Statement on Race and Racism.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 169, no. 3, 2019, pp. 400-402, Web.
Greene, Stuart, and April Lidinsky. From Inquiry to Academic Writing: A Text and Reader. 4th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2021.