idea of race has resulted in more killing than any other except, perhaps, the idea of religion. Yet just a little thought can't help but lead you to the compelling conclusion that there is no such thing as race in the real world.

Webster’s has three definitions for the word "race."

Let’s take the first one. According to Webster’s, "race" is "a family, tribe, people, or nation belonging to the same stock." Now I submit to you that every one of those terms is vague and obscure in meaning. Just what constitutes "a family," "a tribe," "people," "nation," and "the same stock"?

OK? How about the second: "a class or kind of individuals with common characteristics, interests, or habits." To that one I would say that everyone on the planet with noses, all Rotarians, all football fans, all bird watchers, all junkies, all coffee drinkers, and all late-risers would fit the bill. Yet I would hardly call each such group a race.

And now the third: "a division of mankind possessing traits that are transmissible by descent and sufficient to characterize it as a distinct human type." OK, how about someone with no sense of humor. Or someone with a love of music. Or how about a hemophiliac? Does each belong to a specific race?

"Well, what about skin color?" you ask. Well, what about it? Can you give me the precise range of skin color that differentiates one race from another?

You see, Nature doesn’t classify. Only people do.

Which means that "race" is a concept that exists only in people’s heads. There isn’t a shred of reality to it. Nor is there a shred of reality to any of the so-called racial characteristics that go with it.

Yet, people nowadays frequently play what has become known as the "race card." And to great effect, too. What a pity.

Patriotism, said Samuel Johnson, is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Well, I'm going to bring old Sam into the 21st Century. Today, it's the accusation "Racism!" that's the last refuge of a scoundrel.  

Intimidation, anyone?

Think about it.