Why does it matter? - Thoughts on DNA testing
It seems like everyone and their mother (literally) are doing these little tests these days. I for one, have no reason to do one, since I don't believe they really say much about who I am, but I do understand their seductive proposition.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/Ym4XWO6/0x0/dna-test-1543334100767.png)
I won't touch much on the fact that we are willingly giving away our genetic information, which I find kind of weird, but instead focus on the motivations behind this new trend. I mean, it seems obvious to me that the people who are getting excited about the possibility of being 2% Cherokee, have in one way or another concocted a mental mechanism of justification or self worth edification. I realize that sounds complex, but allow me to explain.
I'm amazing because...
There's nothing wrong with loving ourselves and as I matter of fact, it's probably necessary for all of us to do so to be mentally healthy. Self loathing, which stands in opposition, is not only anti-social by nature, but it's no doubt an ingredient for terrible choices and outcomes.
That being said, I think it's valid to love ourselves for things that we've done, for things that we've accomplished. Finishing a career, successfully launching a projecting, learning a new language, that kind of thing. But taking credit, or feeling pride for something that is pragmatically alien to us, has a sinister foundation, and one that is not too clear for most people.
Learning for example, that I'm of jewish ancestry, should not in any way shape of form edify my notions of self intellect. The idea that I can feel smart, simply because I'm 20% of jewish blood, has more negative connotations that positive ones, starting from the fact that my newly discovered mental prowess is none other than debunked arguments for racial hierarchies. That being said, It's not entirely irrational for someone to hold on to such idea, since all of us want to feel good about ourselves, and up to a point, anything can serve that purpose. All this to say that it's entirely possible in my particular example, that someone can be 20% ashkenazi and be a complete moron, since both scenarios have absolutely no correlation.
But, there's also a darker side to the story...
I'm a victim
Which of course is the one that I find the most toxic. Believing that victimhood is somehow inherited genetically is so wrong, at so many levels, that I struggle to break this down in a short post, simply because I lack the mental tooling to do so.
I'm reminded of this particular video I came across months ago, that truly showcases my point. Now, please understand, it is not my position that racism does not exist, nor that it's something we should not combat. My position on this matter is that there's a flipside to this, a not so noble reason for holding on to racial identities that we are almost forbidden from discussing.
As you might have guessed, this is not the original video. The youtuber who originally uploaded it, has since then deleted the video and there's more than enough reasons for her to have done so. The point here however is that her reaction to the news speaks volumes on where her mind is at.
On a personal note, I think that this youtuber is smart enough and certainly beautiful enough to edify her identify of self worth on other foundations, but it's painfully obvious this is not the case.
Does it really matter?
I guess that's the question that I'm trying to answer. In my opinion it really does not. I mean, how could I take pride on something that I have absolutely nothing to do with. If I had, through some ethereal system of galactic influence, chosen one by one my ancestors, the ones that would one day create my corporal form, I guess I could take pride in my work, but needless to say, such notions are ridiculous.
My point is this. It's fine to know where you come from, it's fine to know your racial composition even, but if you've built a sense of self worth on top of that, on top of your racial ingredients, know you are building a sand castle two feet away from the ocean.
I understand and somewhat agree with yoru general point
but
Actually I find her reaction perfectly normal. She looks African. If she were to walk down the streets in Nigeria or Senegal, she'd look exactly within the spectrum of the people there. It's natural for her to assume she's African- its what her mirror tells her. I don't think she wants to identify with "victimhood" in any way. - That's just how I perceive it though, I don't know what's in her heart.
I think most black people in America have some other "ethnicity" in them anyway. The only reason why she's been traced to a European lineage is because it's her maternal line. So the rest of her family can ALL be "African" - so she could be 99.99% African, and have just that one white ancestor line.
If you think about it, going by 4 generations per 100 years (minimum), 500 years ago, was 20 generations ago. Our ancestors double in number per generation, so that's 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great grand parents and ... by 20 generations that's 4,194,304 ancestors!! FOUR MILLION!! That's how many people contributed to your bloodline.
I think in this specific case, she says it's 5 generations back, so at least 1 of 32 ancestors
was white, but she just happened to be her mothers, mothers, mothers, mother. The other 31 could well have all been black ... or anything else.
Unless your ancestors lived isolated for millennia (like in Australia), or there's been a genocide of your people, then by 1 thousand years, you're pretty much related to everyone on your continent - black, white or yellow.
Consider that, you and I could be related by then, even if we look completely different.
This is why this whole DNA testing thing is total BS in my opinion anyway haha.
Bingo my friend, hence why the focus on this thing is energy being misplaced.
I for one don't care about my genetical composition that much.
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I have never understood this either. There is some weird stuff in my family tree as I have never known any farther than my great parents and only by parts. It has not made a difference in my journey as we achieve what we work for.
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@meno, In my opinion we should not focus too much upon this subject because why should people push themselves and their dear ones in confusion or may be overthinking phase. Let's enjoy in who we are because no matter what our origin tells about us, this now moment is our reality and we should not shock our reality. Stay blessed and thank you for touching this interesting topic.
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I don’t think “it matters” in that “everybody needs to”. Somebody bought me one and I thought it was really cool to find out exactly what makes me, me (: I have like 5% Nigerian DNA and a few other African countries which was cool to find out. And then there are the percentages that you sort of expect if you know your heritage. But I don’t think people should freak out on Twitter about it or get upset at all LOL... Nothing you can do about your genes, you gotta just live with it! Ridiculous that somebody would be angry about learning the truth about themselves... People just really like to complain don’t they @meno 🤣😏😬
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