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The Social Construction of Race

The Social Construction of Race


What is race? It is defined as descendants of a common ancestor; one of the distinct variations of the human species; race or lineage. (Websters New Dictionary 1998). As our society becomes more educated the debate on whether or not this is the true definition of race, or as today’s Sociologists see it, is race merely socially constructed. Race, as it applies across scientific lines, is determinate to represent the human species as a whole, therefore there is but one race…. Human.

The readings of “ House behind the Cedars” by Charles W. Chestnut, “Black like Me “ written by John Howard Griffin, and Life On The Color Line: The true Story of a white Boy Who Discovered He Was Black, By Gregory Howard William’s, ask the question of the determination of race. This question is still being asked from the early nineteen hundreds to the late fifty’s and up until the recent nineties. Many descendants of duel ethnicities are asking of question of “ who am I”. They are confused as to where they fit into the equation of the categorization of race

We are still consumed with the notion that there is some possible generalization that can used to determine who belongs and who doesn’t, to a certain category of ethnicity. Throughout the process of natural selection, uninhibited love and the freedom of choice, we humans continue to cloud the reality for the concept of race.

This social construction of race no longer holds as a scientific factor. Physical features such as skin color and eyes and hair have been proven scientifically to be components of the location of environment. These traits were not only used to identify one “race” from another, but also as a measure to “prove” racial superiority. As we move forward in our human history the debate of nature Vs nurture proves to be a progressive thought pattern for today’s Sociologist. John Warwick (who is considered a mulatto) demonstrates this theory, as he successfully integrates into the dominant white society. After having studying, practiced and mastered the cultural values that are expected of the privileged class he is excepted as such However, he is aware that during this time,“of certain law [s] the instrument by which tyranny riveted the chains upon it’s victims, had revolted now and than against the senseless and unnatural prejudice by which a race...

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