Heritage Schmeritage

The genes we inherit from our ancestors create our entire outward appearance. They establish the color hair we have on our heads to the size of our feet and everything in between: however, is it possible that our genetic makeup dictates who we are on the inside as well? In other words, are our thoughts, feelings, morals, and behavior all a result of our DNA?

In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain explores the possibility that human beings are all equal through the use of his character Jim. Initially presenting Jim as the stereotypical black slave--dumb and lacking humanity-- Twain develops Jim's emotions and personality as the novel progresses. Jim escapes the society that frowns upon his skin color via a raft with Huck. Jim becomes Huck's caretaker. He mourns for his family, and he regrets beating his deaf daughter. Jim is able to let go of his life as a slave. He is able to let go of his heritage. On the raft, it no longer defines him. He is able to freely express his true thoughts and feelings. Preconceived notions of how a certain race should act is nothing more than a stereotype. Heritage is a label. If we can break free of said label, as Jim does in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, we will have more room to radiate our true essence to others.

Huck grows up in a situation that allows him to formulate his own opinions toward society. If genetic makeup decided Huck's true self, his white skin would have meant that he disgraced African Americans. However, Huck does not let his southern, white heritage define him. He breaks free of the stereotype, loving Jim and pursuing the morals that he believes are right in his heart.

When the Nazis systematically murdered Jews in the holocaust, the Nazis allowed the label of being a Jew to justify a person's death. Adolf Hitler imagined a perfect society of blonde hair and blue-eyed humans. However, the Jews were more than just a three-letter title. Like anybody, they had different personalities, morals, behaviors, thoughts, feelings, and interests. The Nazis allowed heritage to define the Jews, killing hundreds of thousands.

People are more than their heritage.

Our true beings are decided through upbringing and are not a result of inheritance or physical appearance. One's inside character may be suppressed by society's view of said person's background, but it is not background that creates one's inner being.