One look at a person of a different ethnicity or race and a story is already told. We all know that we are different then each other. We are similar because we are all human. However each individual is raised to think, act, and see differently. The information that genetics provides shows the common ground of people. It says behind ones scars, skins colorations, and even further behind ones beliefs and language is a something that is identical. It is the truth of how the humans as a species are linked. Shreeve says it best when he writes, “Perhaps the most wonderful of the stories hidden in our genes is that…our global genetic diversity today leads us all back to a recent yesterday, together in Africa (Shreeve 139).”

Shreeve writes, “The human genetic code, or genome, is 99.9 percent identical though out the whole world (Shreeve 132).” It is amazing that a .1 percent in change in the human genetic code could actually lead to such a diverse Earth. This shows that we as a species are 99.9 percent alike, even though we are all different in race, ethnicity, and culture. This number may remain the same for many other species that are different but are still able to mate with one another. The knowledge that humans are 99.9 alike really helps breaking down the barriers of separation known as race and ethnicity.

I used to not consider the human race as a species.  However, after one reads this article they can easily perceive humans as a species and not as hundreds of different races. I see that other groups are just sub divisions of our major group of ancestral relation. One can consider this as a high school social class. There are many different social groups of the children, and some similar groups are not even friendly or relating to each other. It is either one is a part of one group or another. Similar to how ethnicity and race runs. However, these schools socials groups all come together in the bigger grouping of that school. They all have different personalities than other schools students, and even their social groups. Then the different culture of the schools is in relation with each other under the larger group of the state, or town they are in. A school in Massachusetts has a completely different culture than a school in California, and a school in the United States has even a more unique culture than a school in the United Kingdom.

The way I look at other groups now is significantly changed. I still see the differences, but I now acknowledge the similarities. Humans all have the major features that make them different then other species. What is even more unique is how the mind of humans are all the same as well.  The mind is not affected by various genetic mutations. I feel that only physical features are. I say this because any human can adapt to there surroundings fairly quickly. For example, humans from Africa, the cradle of life, that have never seen the evolution of life and technology was brought into the new world would still be able to learn and operate the technology of today. It may be a frustrating and difficult process for them, but it is certainly easier to teach an uneducated tribal man to read, then to tech a dog how to read.

It is easy to forget that humans are alike with all the pains of separation the species has encountered. However the pains of separation are fading away. Diversity in most countries is now a necessity, and is wanted. My personal views did not change much with this reading because my views were never set on human differences. However, my views and beliefs of humanity became stronger with the reading. The reading gives one reasons to love humanity and science. It also provides additional answers to life other then religion, which is something an agnostic like me loves to find.

Works Cited

1.      Shreeve, James. The Greatest Journey. America Now Short Readings from Recent Periodicals. 7th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2007. 131-39.