Internet Mulatos?

I had a college professor who believed that the only sure fire way to ever end racism was to create one race. No, not like an aryan thing, but rather a mixed race. If everyone in the world were mulato, there would be no racism.

History does actually support such an outlandish claim. There is a theory that the notorious "Lost" colony of Roanoke was actually not really lost but rather the colonists intermarried with the natives there and simply relocated... after a generation all that was left was a mixed race.

"John White found clues when he returned to Roanoke Island. He thought the colonists were trying to tell him that they were going to Croatoan Island but he may have misunderstood the clues. The clues really meant that the colonists were moving inland with the Croatoans because their food supply had ran out. The Croatoans and the colonists became one group as they married one another. A United States government census in the 1800's supports the theory that the colonists married the Croatoans because they used a comparison of names from White's list of colonists to support this fact. Also other historical records from this time say that the Croatoan Indians were called Lumbee Indians. The Lumbees looked like Indians but lived like white settlers."

So, it is not so unbelievable that Jerry Kang's idea that the Internet can be a golden opportunity for at least a form of "cyberquality" is somewhat valid.

One's race will certainly play a role in their social composition, their world view, and beliefs. Stereotypes will unfortunately always have a place in any society. However, the Internet is a means to take away that initial physical or appearance stereotype. You may not readily know that a blogger is African-American, or you may not know a journalist is muslim... but their worldview, opinions, and writing will be influenced greatly by who they are.

Therefore, while the idea of an equal cyberspace is commendable, it is simultaneously condemnable. The intentions may be noble, but in the end I believe that people should not have to be afraid of who they are. African Americans, Hispanics, Asian, Russian, what have you...they are all nationalities and races filled with rich history and cultural traditions. When my great grandparents came to this country from Sicily, they left their culture behind. They wanted to be "American."

The result, I grew up with little to no idea of the rich culture of Sicily with the exception of a recipe for meatballs (I swear to God).

Heritage should not have to be forgotten. Traditions need not be disgarded. Stereotypes don't have to lead to discrimination. The Internet should be a way of expanded culture, of opening doors, not merely providing a cover for people to hide who they are.