And now for ENGLISH:
There is Only One Human Race
In my sociological studies here in France, I have come to realize very interesting subtleties surrounding the word "race." In fact, in France, using the word race to denote an ethnicity of a human is not only rude but quite simply not said. In sociological work and study, however, if you want to specifically use the word race as it is meant in English, it is necessary to put the word in quotation marks. (A feminist author Colette Guillaumin made something of a scandal when she chose to simply capitalize 'race' rather than put it in quotes). The French explain the word choice by saying, "Il n'y a qu'une race chez nous: l'être humain !" meaning approximately "There is only race amongst us : the human being!" In spite of continual struggles of identity and somewhat worrisome discussions on the 'immigration problem' thanks to Sarkozy, I personally find this word choice to be a major success. We still have denigrating words put towards people of different ethnicities and cultures, but quite frankly, the fact that there is no "human race" is beautiful.
Animal Races
However, even amongst animals, we see the objectification and inequality launched upon animals in that in the French language, people often use the word "race" to denote "species." "A good race of cow, that makes for a delicious meat.." etc. Though I am not suggesting that there isn't a variation of species in the order Animalia outside of human beings, I'm highlighting the curiousness in using the word race is used rather than species in the French language for animals yet there is a conscious abstinence from the use of 'race' respecting human beings. Moreover, the word racisme (le racisme) exists in French to denote injustice towards individuals of other ethnicities. The weight and the violence of the word race is very evident in the French language, yet finds its way into discussions of animality. Interesting how four letters can mean so much.
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