Last week, we learned about the concept of race and how it is socially constructed because of that we have seen the brutal results throughout humane history. We have seen how race has brought forth many misconceptions, stereotypes, hierarchies, discrimination, and other problematic issues that are very prevalent today.
This week’s readings have become even more interesting, especially how it affects many people of different communities who are being affected by this. We specifically took a closer look at the American Anthropological Association (AAA) and the American Association of Physical Anthropology (AAPA). The statements on race from both the AAPA and the AAA, make two different distinctions on how they go about describing the concept of race. In their own way, they make interesting points on the topic of race and ancestry.
If we take a look at AAA’s statement on how “…leaders among the European-Americans fabricated the cultural/behavioral characteristics associated with each “race”, linking superior traits with Europeans….” Numerous arbitrary and fictitious beliefs about the different peoples were institutionalized and deeply embedded in American thought”. I found this to be awesome to see a field like anthropology to acknowledge errors, understand the effects it has done and kindly educating others about this misconceptions. One of those misbeliefs is believing that there are differentiating groups of “race” based on physical variations (e.g. hair, skin, geographic location, and culture). However, that is not the case instead “there is greater variation within ‘racial’ groups than between them.”
Honestly, this really made my day because I always see on social platforms, for instance, Twitter where an individual will make a racial remark. It can be so frustrating but having this information is great to educate others about this. We have seen what happens when people try to create a category to separate themselves from others.
As for the American Association of Physical Anthropologists (AAPA), it clearly explained that “us” of all races are classified as homo-sapiens with a direct common descent. So, genetically there is a little deviation between groups of “race” that would hinder or not be compatible to produce offsprings between these so-called different populations or race groups. Yes, we come in different physical features but our insides are all exactly the same. I think the way the system creates ways that can reinforce these mindsets like: applications, exams, surveys, and other forms that require an input of race can promote these views about race.
As for how I would explain the concept of the non-existence of biological race to someone, I think it could be difficult. If, the person was unwillingly wanting to hear the truth. However, if the person did choose I think I would first like to hear what their, opinion on this is. If unsure then I would proceed by looking into the term race. From there I would explain the biological point of the race. I use a bag of M&M’s to explain how we all genetically come from the same bag, I would use the colors to explain the how race has become an issue on how we view each other. In this case, we are the M&M’S.
I like your idea on how to explain the nonexistence of biological race to someone who believes in it. I also talked about how it would be very difficult to convince someone of this fact if they did not keep an open mind and put aside their politics and current views. The idea with the M&Ms I think is really good because its simplistic and doesn’t require the person you’re trying to convince to have any background knowledge of genetics or the history of race to understand your point. It is similar to an idea that I saw in another blog about using a species of animals to show that genetic variation within a species is expected and doesn’t mean there are different races of that animal. I like your idea a bit better though because unlike a lot of animals there are no breeds of M&Ms which the person you’re arguing with could draw a parallel to race with.
I thought your explanation of the M&Ms was very useful when explaining the nonexistence of biological race. It was very simplistic and easy to understand – how despite our outward appearances, we all come from the “same bag.” I also liked these readings because of how relevant these issues are to the daily lives of people. Unfortunately, these categories that this concept of “race” has set up a lot of misconceptions. And the misconceptions that are set up by this are still relevant in our social lives despite the genetic similarities this was proven by. But it is hard to pull out from the threads that connect us to the past, the past of slavery that had set up this importance of categories and treatment of others based on that.
I really liked the way that you explained the non-existence of biological race. If someone is not very familiar with biology or the genetics behind race using a simplistic example, such as the M&Ms, and that we all come from the same bag despite what we may look like on the outside. By doing this you are also not allowing anything other than science and facts to impede the conversation. This was also something that you briefly discussed when you talked about how some people on social media act. I feel like the M&Ms example would be a good example to use to educate people on social media (if you wanted to do so).