The Caucasus Mountains in Georgia
Racism, the belief that one race is superior to another, is a big and weighty topic. I don’t begin to think that I can do it justice in one short blog.
But I want to address just one form of racism I recently learned about. One that I’m embarrassed to say I have inadvertently perpetuated my whole life.
My husband Ed and I recently traveled to the Republic of Georgia with a group of pilgrims organized by an organization called Illuminated Journeys. One of our leaders was a wise young woman who challenged us to confront what for me has been a deep personal failing.
I never knew why those of us of European ancestry call ourselves Caucasian.
It goes back to an 18th-century German anatomist Johann Blumenbach who visited the Caucasus Mountains, located between the Caspian and Black seas at the intersection of Europe and Asia. Historical accounts claim he was so enchanted that he labeled the people “Caucasians,” proposing that they were created in God’s image as an ideal form of humanity.
Blumenbach divided the human species into five races: Caucasian, the “white” race; Mongolian, the “yellow” race; Malayan, the “brown” race; Ethiopian, the “black” race; and American, the “red” race. He considered the Caucasians to be the first race on earth, consistent with the common conception of the Caucasus as a place of human origin. He later asserted that the northern European type of Caucasian represented the perfect form.
First, the logic behind the belief that Caucasians exhibited the best physical appearance is completely racist. Second, we know our species first appeared in Africa, so the anthropology underlying the belief is faulty as well. Unfortunately, even though the five-race typology has been disproven, “Caucasian” still has wide currency in the U.S.
The worst part of this for me is that I’ve been using this term all my life, not even knowing where the Caucasus Mountains were. It turns my stomach to reflect on the countless times I have unconsciously checked the box “Caucasian” when filling out forms.
In what other ways am I perpetuating evil and inaccurate beliefs?
At the deepest level, this question challenges me to open my heart and lead with justice and love for all people, no matter what the circumstances.
At a practical level, the question challenges me to critically examine the language I use and the language people around me are using. Though it is true that language shapes how I think of the world, I believe there’s more to it than that. I’m unable to think about things I don’t have words for. But my culture — the customs, lifestyles and habits of the people around me — shapes the way I think, and also shapes the way I talk.
I must learn to question the language those around me and I use, and become more mindful of potentially harmful beliefs hiding behind my words.
I am grateful to have visited the Caucasus Mountains, and grateful to the wise woman on our pilgrimage who opened my eyes to 1) this instance of racism in my life, and 2) the ease of slipping into such mindless bigotry.
Like Marlena, I also find mindless bigotry (as well as mindful bigotry) repulsive. However, I’m not sure that the problem doesn’t go a bit deeper for me than the box I check when filling out forms. Maybe it’s the very fact that there are category systems were some humans are seen as better than others that is the deeper challenge.
No, it’s most definitely not about the boxes we check. That’s simply one way the illness manifests.
What an enlightening piece. I have never heard of these mountains and have used the term Caucasian my entire life also.
Within the last decade I have been very unsettled by the box labels on identity listed on various forms. In fact often I refuse to check them off or I write in newer categories. Most likely I am making a point to a machine but the action gives me a sense of retaliation.
Ironically just the other day I noted a colleague use the word Anglo to describe a white man to a fellow Asian colleague. The word jolted me into a new level of awareness. Should I be saying Anglo? Marlena’s blog has cinched the matter.
Now I am left not with a sense I have been racist necessarily, but that I have been ignorant. Brandishing the term Caucasian about like a thoughtless fool. I wince now when I recall how many times I’ve casually tossed out this word in mixed gatherings. Without intending racism, I must certainly have appeared that way to some.
Did it never occur to me to research the label? What a glaring example of how racism silently permeates our childhood and adult lives.
Thankyou Marlena for opening my eyes. I’ve discovered upon entering my sixties many opportunities to witness humility in all its profound power. Opportunities to open ourselves to vulnerability and allow others to observe our weaknesses while making no apologies. I am grateful to experience this lesson on racist , ignorant labeling as another chance to feel humbled.
Robin, thank you for this. You are so amazing!
I stopped and re-read several times where you wrote, “observe our weaknesses while making no apologies.” That raised an interesting image for me: My witness self observes my little ego-self scrambling around in my ignorance, shakes her head, and smiles, already having forgiven me.
I have no idea if this is what you meant, but I love the image it raised for me. Thanks!
What term should we use to replace Caucasian?
I asked the same question, Jane. Robin suggests “Anglo,” which is neutral and accurate. The answer I got was “European American.” There are probably others.
Wow, I can’t believe I never questioned the term Caucasian, even though I knew where the Caucasus Mountains were. From now on I will never fill in that box again. Who needs to know that? I am Canadian (with roots in Germany, Ukraine…) That’s all “they” have to know. Once again, I find myself having been racist through ignorance – no excuse! Thank-you Marlena for opening my eyes & mind!
Thanks for writing, Kathy. What you say is true for so many of us!
So, why is it necessary to identify our skin color? Are we not all people.? Please note, with the up-coming election in 2020, polls are already taken as to how each skin-color segment of society votes. At that point we all know to which category we belong.
My German-speaking Dutch parents came from the Ukraine. When they referred to the peasants living around them, they were downgraded. “Das waren nur die Russen.” They were just the Russians.
Lydia, what you say is so true. Skin color differences have always been used to differentiate, downgrade others and self-aggrandize. Sad but true.
We all have so much to learn, and the humility you (Marlena and others) exhibit, without self-deprecation, is beautiful. In asking the question about checking the race box, there is the problem of reinforcing the race construct, but this information is also used to learn more and address inequities and injustices based on racial constructs in our society (like allocate funds a certain way, etc.) So like all manner of things, it’s a complex question.
Well said!
A weighty topic indeed! I’ve been reading about this Blumenbach character and his beliefs. Oh my goodness!
I have also used the term Caucasian without realizing what it really meant. Thank you so much Marlena for bringing this to my attention, and thank you to everyone who has commented.
Let these seeds take root and bring forth change.
Yes, thank you Lorna!