[xibernetik]

It started when speciation occurred -- if something looks "different" enough to you, you are not going to be attracted to it or treat it like one of your own. That's been around a lot longer than higher thinking, so in a way, it's been inherent all along.

Logically, we might not care, we might not want to care, but there's now research that's pointing out (the studies have been too small so far for real conclusions to be drawn) there's a strong possibility it's wired into our brain at a subconscious level.

http://healthland.time.com/2010/11/24/they-all-look-the-same... https://webapps.utsc.utoronto.ca/ose/story.php?id=2135

Before someone accuses me of justifying racism: I don't think racism is justifiable, but I think this research is important. If we understand the physiological causes, we can consciously make an effort to avoid being biased.