Low Key Racial Biases

In the year 2015, it’s fair to say that the human race has become much more progressive on many social issues. However, it is important not to let ourselves believe that our progress is complete. While we have made great strides for human rights and equality, there is still more to be done. One such issue that has improved but has yet to become ideal is race. We have certainly come a long way from atrocities such as the Holocaust, slavery, and segregation, but race is still an issue that is still prominent today, albeit more subtle.

               For example, in his novel, The Hobbit, J.R.R Tolkien has admitted that he modeled the fantasy dwarf race after the Jewish race. At first glance this doesn’t seem to be much of an issue when reading about the dwarves. The dwarves are not depicted in a particularly negative way; they are portrayed as one of the heroic, good races. They also share the same historical misfortune of the Jewish race in that they are forced to wander and are lacking a true home. However, some of the other similarities they share are perhaps due to Tolkien’s racial biases and subconscious stereotyping. The dwarf race, despite being heroic, are also portrayed as being very greedy and overly fond of treasure, the same avarice that the Jewish race is stereotyped as having in modern times. Additionally, the dwarf race is depicted as small in stature with rugged, rough features. On the other hand, the Elven race, modeled after Aryans, are of normal height and depicted as being quite fair. It also says something that while the novel already had a race of men, the Jewish race was projected to the dwarf race rather than the standard race of man.

               While these are certainly not egregious issues, they serve to show that despite being the progress we have made on issues, there are still biases, assumptions, and stereotypes that are ingrained into people. It’s not always easy to recognize these issues, as they have become increasingly subtle, but it is important to try to realize that they are present so that we can continue to make progress for human rights and equality.