Its interesting u should ask that question Alex, I'm doin a college essay on racism. I dunno if i believe it to be a completely societal concept, but it definitely is customized by society. For instance, back home there's a difference between Yorubas and Hausas, even tho they're both living in the same country (nigeria). They are indeed only tribes, but i can tell the physical difference between them, and tribalism is so much like racism that its hard not to think of it in those terms. However, to the same nigerians that think like this, malaysians and koreans are all "asian". I find that i was guilty of that until i moved to an international school and became accustomed to the physical differences between japanese and korean people. I still think race is important, but not as its perceived by most people. Race is often connected to culture, and culture is very important. However, I would willingly have everyone in the world intermarry until we're all a nice olive color somewhere in between black and white, and then it wont matter anymore- your passport will only be useful for travel instead of branding u as inferior. I guess I'm rambling, but what i'm basically saying (i think) is that race is and isnt a social construct. There is certainly a physical difference between myself and my tunisian/kuwati friend sitting next to me. BUT, its not as important as we make it sound. I'm not american, so i have only a minimal understanding of the whole minority thing, but i do know this; till tomorrow, most nigerians still find intercultural marriages slightly awkward, even within nigerians. I see their point, but i also figure that if a guy (white, black, green or orange) decides he loves me enough to put up with my shit for the rest of our joint lives, and can prove it by going through the ordeal that is a Yoruba traditional wedding (its actually quite fun if u understand it, but i doubt someone who wasnt yoruba would), then i dont give a flying fuck if he's from antartica. As long as i dont have to live there.
Sorry if that made little sense, its a part of my college essay shining thru (thats not a comfortin thot is it?).
Love,
Toes.