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W

Melinda W
Ms. Olson
English 114B
17 March 2015
Race is an Illusion
Race. There is a lot that could be said about it. Some people argue whether it is real or
not. Even scientists studied and researched the question of if it is biologically real. While
reading Passing by Nella Larsen, it gives doubts to race being real or not. The novel introduces
the character, Clare. Clare is mixed, but passes as white. This lead to the discussion of how race
can be real considering people were able and still able to pass from one race to another. Though
race is not biologically real, in Passing, Clares desire to return to the black community and
regain her black identity illustrates the cultural significance of race; through Clare the novel
shows that race is culturally based.
Passing explores the psychological and social costs of racial passing on two women,
Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry. Irene does not pass as white until occasions occur when it is
convenient. Clare passes entirely as white; she married a white man and achieved a domestic,
white life. Clares passing and subsequent decision to reenter parts of the black experience
through her friendship with Irene disrupts Irenes life and brings tragic consequences for both
women.
The novel opens with Irene having tea at the top of the Drayton Hotel and meets Clare. At
first, Irene is simply fascinated with the womans beauty and is curious as to why the woman
keeps staring at her. Her first thought is that the woman might suspect that she is passing. Before
long, the bold Clare makes her identity known. They have not seen each other since childhood.

Clare invites Irene over for tea; Irene is reluctant but decides to go. Irene and Clare meet. Clare
tells Irene of her plan to spend time with black people, to become reacquainted with the black
experience. Against her better judgment, Irene agrees to help Clare in her plan. The novel next
showcases a number of parties, racial uplift meetings, and dinners that the two women attend in
Harlem.
Passing
Race has many definitions to it. It can be everything or nothing to someone. According to
Race, the Power of Illusion by Larry Adelman, race is defined as a social concept in which a
group of people shares similar yet distinct physical and emotional characteristics. Race has not
genetic basis. Not one characteristic, trait, or gene distinguishes all members of one race from
another. Human subspecies do not exist. Unlike animals, modern humans have not been around
long enough to isolate and evolve into separate subspecies or races. Despite surface differences,
humans are the most similar of all species. Skin color is only skin deep. With this being said,
most traits are inherited independently of one another. The skin color genes have nothing to do
with hair texture, blood type, intelligence, musical talent, or athletic ability. What is classified as
race in this modern era is culturally based.
Culture, preserving.
Race is actually a modern idea. The idea of people being separated by a certain category
is entirely new. According to Adelman, race and freedom were born together. When the United
States was founded, equality was a new idea; however, the economy was based largely on
slavery. The concept of race helped explain why some people could be denied the rights and
freedoms that others took for granted. Race used to justify social inequalities as natural. As the
idea of race evolved, it justified the extermination of Native Americans, exclusion of Asian

immigrants, and stealing Mexican lands. These racial practices were actually institutionalized
within government and society. My parents came from Syria when they were in their teenage
years. At that time, America was not as socially accepting of immigrants. My parents faced
racism on a daily basis. They were constantly called terrorists, and they were called ignorant for
not being able to speak English well.
Identity, passing, and space intertwine
Even though race is not scientifically real, most people still take it into consideration
when socializing with certain people. According to Adelman, race is not biological, but racism
is still real. Race is still an extremely powerful idea that gives people access to different
opportunities and resources. Our government and society have given and created advantages to
being white. This affects everyone, whether someone is aware of it or not. However,
colorblindness will not end racism. Pretending race does not exist is not the same as creating
equality. Race is more than stereotypes and individual prejudice. To combat racism, this society
has to identify social policies that advantage some groups and accept that everyone should have
the same opportunity as everyone else. I look white; I am very pale, so I do not look Arabic. My
parents see this as a good thing; they tell me pretend to be white, so I will not get the same
insults and threats they received when they were my age. In a way they support passing like how
some people did in Passing. They do not tell me to pretend to be white because they are ashamed
of our culture; they are more worried of what could happen to me if I broadcast my racial
background. We are in the year 2015, and my parents are still worried about their children
receiving insults about our race and culture.

W
Adelman, Larry. "Race, the Power of Illusion." PBS. PBS, Apr.-May 2003. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
Larsen, Nella. Passing. New York: Penguin, 1997. Print.

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