Although, social scientists have proved this theory to be wrong, and proved that biologically there are more differences within racial groups, than between them (Cartmill 653), this idea of separating individuals on the factor of skin color still exists. On the basis that there is no biological justification for classifying race, the function of the division of race is to further maintain and reinforce social differences and classes. This ideology of race in America is particularly confusing and discriminatory for those who have a belonging to more than one ethnic group. Particularly, this brings attention to the relationship between those of African-American and Native American ancestry belonging to the Wampanoag tribe.
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Despite all of this, the Wampanoag people fought to preserve their culture through sharing it in private and practicing culture within clans and family. Without the ability of the Wampanoag people to come together and congregate as a tribe, traditional Wampanoag customs began to dismantle. As time passed, tribal history, customs, and Wampanoag language began to die as did the Elders of the tribe. What had once been a thriving culture began its downfall. During this same period of hardship for the Wampanoag people, Europeans in the area imported African slave labor into the New England area. To continue to grow economically, the English needed more sufficient labor than what a diminishing native population could provide. The colonists had a problem and they need a solution. Their solution for the shortage of labor was becoming involved with the African slave trade. The influx of African slave labor introduced the creation of a contemporary culture in colonial New England. Members of this new group of people to Native were viewed as outcasts as well because of their historical and cultural make up and also their skin color, similarly to the Wampanoags. Over time, the few Wampanoag people who survived began marrying people of African descent. Although this can be assumed to be as a result of situation, it could also be argued that these relationships were established in common frustrations and distrust in colonists, common sharing of strong cultural roots, and a common ground in hope for a different future. By the 18th century, a new culture that embraced both Wampanoag and African elements was brought forth, resulting in the hybridized successive generations that are still present today. According to Mandell and his research, although culturally, the members in this community were ethnically upbrought in a Wampanoag way, to many outsiders of