Whereas the lack of racial indicators is a major feature of Nova, Neal Stephenson mentions the race very specifically within the first few lines of nearly every character that is introduced in Snow Crash. In reading Nova, race is brought to mind because of its absence. It poses the question, why is this book different from others? Why does race play a role in other works, since it is apparently not necessary to an enjoyable or meaningful book? At the same time, it gives life to the hope that some day, race really will be as insignificant as it is portrayed in Nova.

Snow Crash offers a stark contrast to the subtlety of making a point through omission. Even the most inconsequential characters warrant a physical description including the color of their skin or nationality. At times, this description is given through the eyes of an overtly racist character, such as when a New South African asks Hiro, "Are you a lazy shiftless watermelon-eating black-ass nigger, or a sneaky little v.d.-infected gook?" (301). Obviously, racism is still alive and well in the futuristic world of Snow Crash. Race also plays a part in how other characters understand Y.T.'s name. It also demonstrates the degree to which race is on people's minds when the cops arrest her and find out her name. " 'How come you keep calling yourself Whitey?' the second MetaCop says. Like many people of color, he has misconstrued her name" (49). It is also interesting to note that both Hiro and Y.T. categorize people according to their race. It doesn't matter whose point of view is being represented or whether or not the thought is verbalized in the form of dialogue. Race is always on the minds of the characters of Snow Crash. This implies that everyone views other people this way, the other characters in the book as well as the reader.

However, while Stephenson goes to great lengths to show how people are preoccupied with race, it is presented as an everyday occurrence rather than a phenomenon worthy of particular notice. Everyone goes on about their lives, even while racism exists and even flourishes within certain Burbclaves such as White Columns, which displays a sign reading, "WHITE PEOPLE ONLY. NON-CAUCASIANS MUST BE PROCESSED" (32). The characters are described and categorized by race but instead of fighting against it, they accept it as a normal part of life. People further isolate themselves by choosing to live in highly sequestered Burbclaves, operating as nations. When, "the only ones left in the city are street people, feeding off debris; immigrants, thrown out like shrapnel from the destruction of the Asian powers; young bohos; and the technomedia priesthood" it is obvious that people are pulling inward, seeking sameness (191-92). Snow Crash warns against this kind of isolation. Hiro and Y.T. come from very different backgrounds but it is only through their cooperation that they are effective. Humanity has become terribly fragmented by its own choice in the world of Snow Crash. We can only hope that as the world moves forward, we can heed this warning and pull together rather than hiding from our fellow man.