What is race? For many people, race is defined as the color of your skin, but in fact, this term has a variety of meanings. Some of these come up often in everyday life, as we discuss "the human race." Other meanings are used on government forms, as when Americans record which race they belong to for the U.S. Census. Some meanings are far more technical, when for example a "biologist talks about different races of a particular species of plant or animal" (MacEachern 34). The context in which the word race is used has an array of definitions, but in day to day life, we continue to distort the differences between these meanings. One of the most vital tasks of an anthropologist is to examine the biological and cultural variability that is present within humanity. They look at the customs and traditions of different cultures, in search of common foundations that define our shared existence and also the differences that offer variety to our daily lives. "We study the biological characteristics of different human populations, our relations with our relatives-the apes and monkeys, and the evolutionary history of our species" (MacEachern 34). The concept of race is one of the most academically and emotionally charged subjects in the field of Anthropology. So the question I pose is this: Is race still a useful concept for anthropologists? To further examine this controversy, I will be analyzing three different perspectives; they include Dr. Loring Brace, Dr. George W. Gill, and Professors Michael Omi and Howard Winant. .
Dr. George W. Gill is an American anthropologist who is considered an expert in skeletal biology. In an interview he stated, "Slightly over half of all biological/physical anthropologists today believe in the traditional view that human races are biologically valid and real" (Gill). Gill is certainly one of those anthropologists. Because of his extensive background in forensic anthropology, Dr.
The concept of race being more cultural than biological can be linked with history and the conquering quests of Western Europe. ... Race is based on physical differences and everything else has been created culturally and through environments. ... In conclusion to my answers the concept of race is a culturally created phenomenon and not biological and there is no validity in biological advantages being a different skin color. ...
Many people may wonder why it is that people are racist, especially when race seems to be a socially constructed concept. The idea of genetically different groups is known as biological race. ... Race is simply a socially constructed concept. ... Hitler used to call the Jewish people, a "Jewish Race." ... Unlike functionalists, concept theorists think that ineq...
The word "race" is defined as one of the group of populations constituting humanity. ... These questions among others arise when thinking of race. Does race really exist? ... Anthropologists stress the heterogeneity of world population, and many reject the concept of race outright. This concept is not understood by most, and must be emphasized to people around the world. ...
I believe that "Race" is an arbitrary and meaningless concept because race among humans does not exist. ... Racism, racial stereo types, race and cultural prejudices, and anti-Semitism, cultural and racial bigotry result in people being attacked, abused, oppressed, or enslaved. ... While there seem to be genuine relationships between blacks and whites, some whites, including myself, hesitate to talk about race for fear of being taken the wrong way. ...
Social constructions of gender and race and intersectionality have a tremendous impact on all institutions throughout the world. These concepts contribute a lot of knowledge in order to spread the word on the oppression of gender and race. ... Defining intersectionality is a key concept in knowing why it is so crucial to women's and gender studies. ... Crenshaw illustrates three fundamental concepts of intersectionailty. Structural, political, and representational intersectionailty are the three concepts she thought were critical to understand. ...
Without any scientific pretense whatsoever, the concept of race was constructed to classify people by arbitrary physical or geographical characteristics. ... The Interplay Between Ignorance and Evidence Apart from the dubious and dangerous origins of the term race, we also have the problem of misunderstanding concepts which apply themselves to our practical reason " of chameleon-like terms which confuse the understanding of identity issues. ... I maintain that counselors and others in the mental health profession should abandon the misdirected and fallacious concept of race and approach...
Race or Ancestry? Is there really an argument as to whether or not race should be a decisive factor in the identification of an individual? ... A passage from Sauer's article reads, "From whatever viewpoint one approaches the question of the applicability of the concept of the race of mankind, the modalities of human variability appear so far from those required for a coherent classification that the concept must be considered as of very limited use . ... Sauer said, "Perhaps we could avoid the term "race" in our communications about cases, substituting "ancestry" or some other word t...
More than understanding and critically engaging with relatively new concepts, this exercise has turned into autobiographical experience of discovery. ... intimidation in predominantly white ex-model C primary and secondary schools; the University experience- the primarily homogenous experience; the sudden development and transferral of affection towards "South Africa"; and most saliently, the birth of new "identifying criteria", the re-invention and substitution of one imagined concept over another: the continued "end of race debate". ... Firstly, "identity" and "social identity" as theo...
