White Teeth Race and Ethnicity Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

In Glenard Oak Comprehensive, black, Pakistani, Greek, Irish—these were races. But those with sex appeal lapped the other runners. They were a species all of their own. (11.26)

Sex appeal and attractiveness sometimes trump race as a category. For example, we see Millat attract women of nearly every race and ethnicity. So what is it about being attractive that makes other aspects of one's appearance matter less? Or, what is it about being unattractive that makes other aspects of one's appearance matter more?