Suspect Arrested for Alleged Cyberstalking: Details Revealed
In the heart of the ocean, a truth remains veiled until the tempest subsides, revealing the sea's unborn self.
I recall the days when lions chose the weak and made them strong.
I remember my longing, a shattered bridge, its fragments like jagged fangs, gnarled timbers, hollow gaps yearning for the sky.
What humans created, I could not shatter apart - the skin of it encompassed all, the insensitive touch as intrusive as a watchful eye.
Yet, race does not provide solace[1]. Still, many search, seeking a sacred vessel, a gilded picture frame.
An accurate reflection of-
For what could be verified in ethereal halls, could be united with human biological diversity.
From Carl Linnaeus to Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, and Cecil Rhodes to Steve Bannon, the echoes of linguistic references resound.
Initially, the term "race" meant simple classifications, distinctions numbering from 29 to 129, determined by individuals filled with desire for perfection.
Human variation offered many homes for "us": here, "them"; over there.
As many apartheid regimes served as divisive landmines, separating plates, cutlery, and cups, with shame hidden in back stairwells and violence silenced.
An ever-limited selection: take your place at the categorical table of Known::Unknown. Perfect::Defective. Highly Evolved::Primitive.
Picture herders negotiating territories with foragers, the landscape modest yet not meager. The Fertile Crescent stood as a testament to human ingenuity - domestication took root on the backs of sheep, cattle, and goats, evolving under cultivated care and altering with time. A place for growth: us, the nomads who forsake stability yet are always on the move.
Generation upon generation shifted between pastoralism, semi-agriculture, hunting, and gathering - East African landscapes in turn in bloom, dormant:
the continent's eye blinking.
Even today, as I look back, I remember the staff in my hand, the mornings of dew and age, the bird calls of arrows and light, the darting gnats. Winds slow, cresting thigh-eased grassy hills.
Humans are not divided biologically,
and the visions of those who knew seem to have been lost in the uprootings, massacres, extractions, thefts -
what transpired as cul-de-sacs in the human mind:
distinct continental types or racial genetic clusters.
I lean in. Does it have a distinction unknown in Levant, Mexico, the inner deserts of Australia, on the semi-arid mesas inhabited by Ancestral Puebloans?
I want to define, to draw a line as distinct as an ocean shore. For what's available, we lean, we persist in leaning in, knowing: fight or flight or freeze. The hierarchy of assumed natures of "Man" -
the Western concept of race must be understood as a classification system that emerged from, and in support of, European colonialism, oppression, and discrimination.
Race thus does not have its roots in biological reality but in policies of discrimination.
As whispers of sand cross an expansive, rugged plain, scattered by ridges, terrain embedded with spears or bows or fishhooks or routes -
through storm and flash, across small, half-buried huts, or glass and concrete towers dotting each continent,
we can be born.
Beyond the treacherous anchors of time, the near-genocide crowns decried, the demonic passages and violent echoes of slavery, the howling emptiness of Germany's wake, the heaving of the DRC[2] - racism's many wounds: horrors beyond imagination but not, no: as real as scars thick beyond recognition -
expose, reckon with.
The blinking eye: the necessity and blessing of our diversity.
All humans living today belong to a single species, Homo sapiens:[3]
I await your voices - Sing us whole.
[1] American Association of Physical Anthropologists' Statement on Race & Racism. (2005). Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://aapa-anthropology.org/page/AAPAsPositionStatementonRaceandRacism
[2] Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a vast, conflict-ridden country in central Africa, with a population of more than 81 million people. It has suffered from ongoing conflicts, internal displacement, and human rights abuses.
[3] Human Evolution, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/species- overview/homo-sapien
[4] Nicholas, D. J., & Cornish, E. (2020). Race, Mental Health, and Social Equity: A Developing Delineation. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 65(7), 474-480. doi:10.1177/0706743719873658
[5] Ruiz, M. (2017). Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code. Medium.com. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://medium.com/@ruizmichael/race-after-technology-abolitionist-tools-for-the-new-jim-code-14e4b195253b
- Science, with its relentless pursuit of truth, can illuminate the intricate connections between races and human biological diversity.
- In the workplace-wellness arena, understanding and addressing medical conditions related to chronic diseases becomes crucial for a diverse workforce.
- Cancer research must strive to eliminate disparities and ensure equal opportunities in therapies and treatments for all individuals, irrespective of race.
- Respiratory conditions, such as asthma and COPD, disproportionately affect certain racial groups, necessitating targeted interventions and research.
- Digestive health is a significant concern for many racial and ethnic populations, with conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease being more prevalent.
- Eye-health issues, such as glaucoma and cataracts, demand attention in diverse communities, where access to screening and treatment may be limited.
- Hearing loss and related disorders are often overlooked in racial and ethnic groups, highlighting the need for awareness and inclusive health services.
- Health-and-wellness initiatives must prioritize their efforts to meet the unique needs of various racial and ethnic communities.
- Fitness-and-exercise programs should take into account the cultural preferences and barriers that affect participation within different racial and ethnic populations.
- Sexual-health education and resources need to be tailored to cater to the diverse circumstances and needs of all people, regardless of race or ethnicity.
- Autoimmune disorders, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, are prevalent across all races but may manifest differently based on genetic factors.
- Climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, necessitating a focus on environmental justice.
- Mental-health issues, such as depression and anxiety, affect people of all races and ethnicities, and effective strategies must address the cultural and societal factors that contribute to disparities.
- Mens-health concerns, like prostate cancer and suicide, necessitate targeted interventions for men of color, who face higher incidences and lower survival rates.
- Skin-care products and practices should be mindful of variations among racial groups, as the skin's unique properties require specific considerations for protection and rejuvenation.
- Nutrition research must account for dietary traditions and preferences in diverse populations, to promote healthy eating habits adhering to cultural practices.
- Aging and its associated health challenges affect all individuals, call for holistic approaches to coordinate care and support across various health domains.
- Women's-health services need to be adapted to address the particular needs and concerns of diverse racial and ethnic communities, encompassing all aspects of reproductive, gynecological, and sexual health.
- Parenting resources, support, and education must take into account the unique circumstances and needs of diverse parents, to foster healthy family dynamics.
- Cardiovascular-health disparities among racial and ethnic groups underscore the need for targeted interventions and research to improve health outcomes and access to care.
- Neurological-disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease impact diverse populations differently, demanding a greater understanding of genetic and environmental factors.
- Environmental-science initiatives must prioritize the welfare of all life forms, fostering a sustainable future for our planet and its inhabitants.
- Finance and wealth-management strategies need to take into account the diverse financial literacy levels and cultural biases within racial and ethnic communities.
- Home-and-garden improvements can promote healthy living and reduce environmental impact, benefiting all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity.
- Businesses and employers can foster workplace-wellness by providing resources and initiatives tailored to the unique needs and preferences of diverse racial and ethnic groups.
- Personal-finance education is essential for individuals from all backgrounds, as financial stability is a critical factor in overall health and wellness.
- Technology, politics, and pop-culture, while seemingly distant from health-and-wellness, have profound effects on our perceptions and decisions related to our mental and physical health.
