Talking about race all the time...a good or bad thing?

Erin Goldberg, Post 19

I can't decide if constantly debating about race and ethnicity is a positive thing. Don't get me wrong, for the purpose of this class, I think it is merited (and it's exactly what we signed up to do). However, it everyday society, is it good for us to always be debating race and ethnicity. I made a small mental list of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Acknowledges that unique differences in each of us and allows us to highlight these differences in a positive light.
• Brings attention to problems arising from racial and ethnic tensions

Cons

• Constantly makes note of the differences between certain groups of people, possibly making it more difficult to allow these groups to find common ground (ex.standards of living, general income, occupations, education, etc.)
• Acknowledging race is to acknowledge that their is inequality. This is important, however, are we able as a society to move past the talking phase and move towards action. It seems like every time society fixes one problem with social or racial inequality, two more spring up.

Like I said, the list is short and probably looks extremely pessimistic. And this is not me saying we shouldn't talk about issues like race and ethnicity. We absolutely should. However, when they begin to consume large parts of our lives, then I feel as though we have stopped living our own lives and started to take on the role of "representatives" for our own race. Like I've mentioned before, I'm gay and Jewish, but I don't like to let those two things consume who I am. They are very small parts of me and I don't think it is a good idea to always be bringing them up in the context of every conversation. Sure I make jokes about being both with my friends and sure I fight for equality when it is necessary. But I don't want my entire life to be consumed with just issues of my race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, etc.

Like I said, I'm extremely conflicted about how I feel about this subject. Talking about race is absolutely important, but it shouldn't become the main point of a person's life. Then you become more of a cause and less of a person.