You Said ‘Race’, but Are You Actually Talking About Race?

It was 2020 or 2021. I was listening to NPR. The host was chatting with a physician who was discussing possible genetic factors that could impact how well (or not) peoples' bodies react to COVID. But the doctor called that "race." So when I got to work, I made this flowchart and put it up on Twitter. 

Then my neighbor, who runs an online magazine, saw it and asked me to write about it. So I did: https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/you-said-race-but-are-you-actually-talking-about-race/ . And the flowchart is posted there, as well.*

Race is the MEANING people have made, through history, of human geographic variation; it is *not* the variation itself.

I can't help but believe that if people—especially lefty, white anti-racists—change their common sense about "race" then we will see progress.

Tolerance and kindness are not cutting it. Society must enact new common sense.

*If you'd like a not-blurry version of the flowchart, I'm happy to share! Just look up my email and send me a message.