Cosmic Race Essay

The term â€Å"Cosmic Race† is also known as â€Å"La raza cosmica† which was based on the opinions of some Mexican Scholars in the 1920’s who held that since the Latin Americans held the blood of all the races, the transcended the races of the â€Å"Old World†. This term basically embodies the idea that traditional, exclusive concepts of race and nationality can be transcended in the name of humanity’s common destiny (MacLachlan, 1980). While the idea of the origins or creation of the â€Å"Cosmic Race† has been attributed to other races, there is no denying that it was the Spaniards who played a major role in this. The open-mindedness, in this case the open philosophy and attitude of Spain regarding culture and society, was influential in creating this cosmic race. Spain realized that the key to being able to build a vital and flourishing economy in the colony was to build a common denominator for acculturation by both Indian and European races (MacLachlan, 1980). Spain was able to accomplish this by establishing and expanding the colonial political and ecclesiastical institutions, the economy, society, and the role of women in the Mexica Society. Further proof of this was the policies of Spain regarding women as they encouraged the women to participate in economics and politics by providing the women during that time with extensive legal rights (MacLachlan, 1980). These factors and the methods by which Spain cultivated the Mexica Empire are brought on by the characteristic of Spain as being â€Å"open-minded†, which in turn led to the creation of the â€Å"Cosmic Race. † References: MacLachlan, C. and Rodriguez, J. (1980) The Forging of the Cosmic Race: A Reinterpretation of Colonial Mexico. University of California Press,