Question 1:
The many physical differences that exist between races have led to many believing that there are natural or biological differences between races. Numerous researches indicate that there are no natural or biologically based differences between the different race groups. All human beings crave the same things. This indicates that the various physical difference that are evident in the different races do not give any race an advantage over the others. Therefore, attempts to place inferiority or superiority on race is invalid since biologically all races are equal.
Question 2:
Yes, sorting promotes discrimination. Sorting highly relies on classifying individuals based on their physical attributes. Physical attributes are generalized and if an individual fits a certain generalization, they are classified as a member of a certain race. This does not take into account personal attributes that may differentiate individuals even within the same race.
Question 3:
There is no difference between sorting, classification, generalization and stereotyping. These concepts all involve making general conclusions with regard to the physical traits that are assigned to a certain race. Such grouping of different races only leads to continued and increased discrimination of a certain race due to its physical attributes. As stated earlier, there are no biological differences within the different races. This means that all races are affected by disease equally. Classifying patients based on their race has no advantage in the advancement of healthcare.
Question 4:
A friend of mine once told me a story about a patient who was not served at a hospital due to his appearance. Instead of serving the patient, the cahier told the patient that hospital offered ‘very expensive’ services that he might not afford. The issue identified is that human beings judge each other based on physical appearance. The cashier judged the patient by looking at him and decided that he might not afford the services offered by the hospital. Such actions have placed a barrier on trans-cultural healthcare.
Work Cited:
Bowker, G. C., & Star, S. L. (1999). Sorting things out: Classification and its consequences. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
Reddy, Maureen T. Crossing the Color Line: Race, Parenting, and Culture. New Brunswick, N.J: Rutgers University Press, 1994. Internet resource.
RACE - The Power of an Illusion . Sorting People | PBS. (n.d.). PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved March 13, 2013, from http://www.pbs.org/race/002_SortingPeople/002_00-home.htm
