"Mais la race est l'enfant du racisme pas le père"

The essence of this quote is that racism came first, and the construct of race was created to justify and perpetuate it. Imagine this: people initially created divisions and considered some groups superior to others. To rationalize these divisions, they invented the concept of race.

Let's look back a bit. Historically, this idea has roots in colonial times. When European colonizers encountered diverse peoples around the world, they needed a reason to justify their dominance and exploitation. So, they categorized humans based on physical traits, like skin color, and declared some races superior — a convenient excuse for their actions. This isn't to say there weren't differences among humans before, but the rigid, pseudo-scientific idea of race as we know it originated from these acts of racism.

Think about apartheid in South Africa. The racial categories were imposed to control and oppress. Whites were given privileges, while blacks and other groups were severely restricted. The concept of race was manipulated to maintain that oppressive system. Racism led to the creation of race as a means of control.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in real life? Start by challenging your own perceptions of race and racism. Understand that what we consider racial differences are more about societal constructs than actual biological differences. When you hear someone make a generalization about a "race," question it. Is it based on factual differences or just stereotypes perpetuated by racism?

Now, picture this: You’re at a family gathering and someone makes an offhand comment about how a certain race is "just like that." Instead of staying quiet, you might gently challenge them. Say something like, "You know, those ideas really come from old prejudices. Have you ever thought about how people are individuals, not just categories?" It’s not about starting a fight but opening a conversation and slowly changing mindsets.

I remember a story from a friend who worked in a diverse office. There was a colleague who always seemed to make assumptions about people based on race. One day, my friend invited this colleague out for lunch. They talked about their backgrounds and experiences, and the colleague began to see my friend as an individual, not just a representative of a race. Over time, their relationship helped break down those ingrained prejudices.

In a nutshell, recognizing that racism created the concept of race can help us dismantle these harmful notions. When we challenge these ideas in everyday interactions and educate ourselves and others, we start to erode the foundations of racism. It's not about being perfect or having all the answers, but about making small, meaningful steps towards understanding and equality.