The discussion of race is prevalent throughout society and every-day life, simply because racism and racial discrimination is still a prevailing epidemic. Most people think that race is biologically real, when it is actually only socially real. The perception or idea of “race”, along with the importance of it, has only grown over time. This is something that has been naturally conditioned into people ever since America was first colonized. But, since race is a social construct, people are broken into categories that are usually based on their skin color, hair, facial features, and the shape of their head and body. These categories are used to help favor one type of person over another, with white men typically being the group that is favored. This is why white men have constantly been in power for centuries, and it is a constant theme seen throughout history.
Reading the statements on race from both the American Anthropological Association (AAA) and the American Association of Physical Anthropologists (AAPA) was very informative, and eye opening. What strikes me as interesting is the fact that both of these associations felt the need to issue statements on race. It ultimately boils down to just how incorrectly people have interpreted what race biologically actually is. The AAA goes through the history of race and why it has developed to the stage it has gotten to at this point. As stated by the AAA, “Ultimately ‘race’ as an ideology about human differences was subsequently spread to other areas of the world. It became a strategy for dividing, ranking, and controlling colonized people used by colonial powers everywhere.” This can be seen not only from the beginning of colonization, when people were separated by race, to now when there is a clear divide purely because of skin color. But, again as many people have said in regard to the social climate of today, we are more alike than we are different. This really ties into what the AAA states, “Conventional geographic ‘racial’ groupings differ from one another only in about 6% of their genes. This means that there is greater variation within ‘racial’ groups than between them.” But, the differences that we see (physical ones), are “[g]enetic difference[s] between populations…including those that are environmentally malleable” (AAPA). So, any real difference seen is not based on genetics; it is because of environment, along with evolution and adaptation of that environment over time.
I would explain the non-existence of biological race to a person who was unfamiliar with the topic by saying that there are no genes that are able to code for a specific “race”. We are all diverse in different ways; but, when it comes down to the bare bones, we are all homo sapiens and pretty much the same. Being a human is what makes us similar. I would also say that, as a reminder, race is something that has been socially constructed and is based on visible traits. Race being a social construct is why it is so visible in daily life, which is because society has agreed to make it something that matters heavily. All of this has enabled certain people to make race something very polarizing.
I think the way you would explain the non-existence of biological race to someone who does not know a lot about the topic is a really good way to put it. By putting it in the words that on the inside we are all the same, we just look different is the best way you can put it. It’s hard to understand explain to someone why we place so much weight on skin color and I don’t think I even understand. It just so happened that a long time ago, someone that was white overpowered someone who was black and that’s just how it has been ever since and it is frustrating that that is the way of the world.
Hello!
Good thoughts. I agree that it shows a lot about the integrity (perhaps this is the wrong word) and quality of these institutions that they chose to issue statements to clarify their scientific findings on race and clarify many myths that a large number of people believe to be true.
I may have misinterpreted this, but I believe perhaps many of the traits we associate with race such as size and skin color, are actually traits that helped people adapt to certain climates or conditions in geographic areas. This is what I assume was meant by the statement that many genetic differences are due to the environment.
I like the simple way you explained how “race” is not a concept of biology. There are no genes that code for race.
Hi Jenna,
As you mentioned in the beginning race is prevent especially now. An example, is people being forced against there will in concentration camps here in American soil ( some individuals get upset by this reference). Technically, using the term is appropriate to use because concentration camps do not necessary mean they have to be death camps.
The definition provided by the AAA does a great job explaining this and I agree with the term provided by them. I literally shocked me and felt a sign of relief that organization like the AAA is not afraid to speak the truth, it is a part of our history and it is important that these misconceptions are addressed.
As for to how you would explain non-existence of biological race to another person, I think you did a great job. I used an example of a bag of M&M’s in my post. Overall, great job.