At the beginning of the course, we learned that the term "race" first appeared in 1684. Considered "scientific" at the time, race was defined as a major division of humanity displaying a distinctive combination of physical traits that are transmitted through a line of descent. So basically, race was thought to be a genetic factor. We now know, however, that there is no single genetic marker for race, and after breaking down the major points of Alain Locke's argument, we arrived at a new meaning for race. Race is now a peculiar selective process for certain culture traits and a resistance to others, which is characteristic of all types and levels within a cultural organization. In his article, Locke argues that it is not race that expresses culture, but rather culture that produces a culture- or social-type.
So, is race real? In other words, is it genuine in existence? To say the least, yes and no. Here's a quick video that I found to help explain this loaded question.
From the video and class lectures, we know that race was not originally used in the discrimanatory context as we know it today. However, with time, race has exhibited social consequences.
It is safe to say that, technically, race is not "real," but rather a social construct with so much power that it has been able to survive throughout centuries. As the video states, "Racial divisions were perpetuated in the interest of groups that wished to maintain power and social exclusion." I think this is still a valid point even in today's society, which leads to covert racism. It is hidden in the fabric of society, covertly suppressing the individuals being discriminated against, such as residential segregation and those citizens who live in poverty. For example, when we think of people who live in inner city projects, we automatically think of African Americans, and consequently those who live in the "projects" tend to have a lower socioeconomic status than those who live in the suburbs.
Basically, I agree with Locke's account of race. It is now defined by cultural characteristics of people within society. What is your opinion on this topic? Do you think race is real? And do you think it's safe to say that certain characteristics of a group of people help define their "race?"
ReplyDeleteAlly! I thought this was an excellent summary of the insight that we have gained from race up to date. I believe that race is real because it is the root of a word that is still apparent in today’s world; racism. I’ve witnessed many people in public that can often be very candid. I’m sure if you went into a small town where the population of African Americans or Muslims was scarce, you would see many disgusted looks or even trash talk. Generally, whenever a person feels threatened by outside forces they are going to define themselves with very rigid fashions. When boundaries become defined, it becomes a matter of “you're either with me or against me”. This being the case, I feel like many white Europeans felt like they were threatened by other forces so they secluded themselves by building their our walls which they defined as race. I believe that race is still real but it is justice that binds together a society. Any form of injustice undermines the entire system. For white Europeans to go against this wide spread belief of racial superiority would mean they were a bad specimen of their kind; This ties back to Galton’s Eugenic theory.
Europeans presupposed that their value system was rational but what I'd like to know is what gave them this thought. Science can be detached from the equation since it wasn't present during this moment in history. This is where I begin to contemplate over whether white Europeans really thought they were superior or if they felt threatened.
race is real: because we recognize it, because it has social significance, because it has historical context. I commented on another post that if one takes away the significance of race, we're denying a person part of her/his life experience. it'd be great to actually *be* 'colorblind,' but when someone says, 'i don't see color,' they're denying a person's context. same thing as if a man says, 'i don't see gender.' so how're you supposed to respond to me, then? as if i were a man? what, am i supposed to feel better? no. taking a person out of their context, you denigrate them further than her/his original state on the ladder of social hierarchy.
ReplyDeleteI will second everything that Michael has said and even pose the same question: Did Europeans utilize the concept of race to maintain already existing ideas/feelings of superiority or is this a result of feeling threatened? I will even go so far as to add: Are the modern day social consequences of race the result of a simple cultural misunderstanding or inability of Europeans to understand cultures that are so drastically different from theirs? While I'd like to explore the answers to these questions that is not the focus of my comment.
ReplyDeleteYou stated in your post that race is not real because it is a social construct. I have to disagree and say that race is real for this very reason. The very experience of living in this world is understood through socially constructing various ideologies and systems that we appropriate value to. Isn't a social construction in and of itself an object even though we may not be able to physically see it?
I may have already made clear my point, but I'd like to further it by using the example of religion. Many people understand religion to be a manifestation of humanity trying to make sense of the supernatural and the natural; therefore, religion is a social construction. This includes both organized forms of religion and various forms of spirituality. Despite the fact that many readily acknowledge that the notion of religion is a social construction there is no dismissal of it as a real force within society; therefore, it is understood that religion is a real "thing". The same applies to the concept of race and racial categories. They may be socially constructed ideas that have no scientific validity, yet they are identifiable by name and manifest very tangible effects. I think that we must intentionally exercise caution with trying to eradicate race as an idea with immense social power. We must first reach definitives about what exactly race is and how it factors into the experience of people so that we may move on and change the amount of social influence that it holds.
Race is real. To say that it is not is to ignore all classifications of human beings and the degrading or uplifting roles given to ethnic groups. To say that it is not would be ignoring our historical and cultural differences. Race is real because even today we find it hard to integrate ourselves as unified people. Even though science doesn’t add up, the infrastructure of society is very hesitant to allow cross-cultural mixing of characteristics specific to visually different groups and because of that we continue to see the strength and power of what many people understand to be race. I do believe that yes race is produce now by culture but in order to fully understand that culture we must understand its history in the realm of race.
ReplyDeleteRace is real. To say that it is not is to ignore all classifications of human beings and the degrading or uplifting roles given to ethnic groups. To say that it is not would be ignoring our historical and cultural differences. Race is real because even today we find it hard to integrate ourselves as unified people. Even though science doesn’t add up, the infrastructure of society is very hesitant to allow cross-cultural mixing of characteristics specific to visually different groups and because of that we continue to see the strength and power of what many people understand to be race. I do believe that yes race is produce now by culture but in order to fully understand that culture we must understand its history in the realm of race.
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe that race is real. Maybe not biologically but it is, as you stated, a social construct used to define a certain group of people. Aside from the physical aspects, which I feel remain relatively constant between different races,I do not believe that actions or behaviors can define an entire group of people. Everyday I hear people say something to the effect of "She acts black" or "He talks white" and quite frankly I have been guilty of doing the same. But after giving it further thought, there is no possible way to act a certain race. As Locke argued, society has done a great job of warping our minds to believe that race expresses culture; however, we need to only rely on cultural practices when evaluating different races.
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