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A reader has pointed out that I have used the term 'racism' in an inexact way by applying it to diverse objects of bigotry. He is correct. Ethnicity, language, religion, even skin color, do not conform to the meaning of race. In a scholarly article the differentiation
would be important. In this context, though, 'Racism' has a unique resonance along with a raft of connotations. It gets attention. That's why it often is used as a de facto synonym for 'bigotry.'
Actually, 'race' itself is an inexact, ambiguous term. There exists no such thing as a pure race. There are simply a range of DNA compositions. Those persons whose compositions more or less resemble each other, we label a race. Most bigotry is keyed to superficial
characteristics of a category of people whose discernible characteristics are determined by socio-cultural factors. As for pigmentation and facial features, they are hereditary but not definitive markers of one's overall DNA personality.
A striking case in point is provided by Palestine/Israel. A number of scientific studies have been conducted to ascertain the DNA mix of Jews and, to a lesser extent, Palestinians. The results are illuminating. Ashkenazi Jews, on average, display DNA that is
20-30% Levantine, 20-30% Mesopotamian/Iranian, 20-30% southern European; 20-25% Northern Europeans; 5% Other. Sephardic Jews, on average, display 20-30% Levantine, 30-35% Southern European; 20-25% Mesopotamian/Iranian; 5-10% Arab and Berber. Less study has
been done on Jews originating in the Middle East. Indications are that the Levantine element is higher by 5% or so, and so too for the Mesopotamian element.
The more limited study of Palestinian DNA reveals that roughly 50% of their DNA is Levantine.
The State of Israel prohibits the conduct of DNA investigations.
Michael Brenner