"Ross, what is race??? I always hear about you humans arguing about it, but I don't understand it"
"Well, Marcel... race is...er, hard to define...
It's how humans subdivide; we classify ourselves based on how we look. From a scientific standpoint, I guess you could say race is just how humans are grouped together based on some the traits they have: hair color, skin color, eye shape, skin color... that sort of stuff"
"But... who decided that these traits would dictate these races? After all, those who claim that race is 'irrefutably biological' (@justin peng) fail to recognize the truly subjective nature of how race is defined. Yes, there are certain genetic variations between races, but who is to say that these variations are what should define race? Why isn't race based off of shoe size? Or height? The answer is simple: society chooses what defines race. There's no part of the human genealogy that screams 'I BELONG IN ____ RACE,' society chose to create and define races that way.
In fact, there does not even exist a scientific necessity for divisions based on race to exist. Humans created race as yet another way to separate within humankind, as yet another way to alienate members of society. Look at us animals. We function perfectly fine without races, yet you humans and your need for separation... you still tried to classify us. The fact remains the same, though--I don't see my friends as madrills, or baboons, or macaques. I see them simply as monkeys, just like me. Perhaps you humans have some innate need for competition; why else would you constantly need to separate, to create stereotypes and racism only to make yourselves feel superior?"
 |
| surprisingly profound for a monkey |
Race is a social construct, simple as that. It's how society chooses to view its members, even if this viewpoint is not how the members view themselves. This is shown in Speigelman's Maus; the actual race of the character in question is insignificant, all that matters is how the Nazis saw him.
Now, I'm not going to deny the physical differences present between races, only that these differences entail the creation of race. The concept of race did not just arise spontaneously from biology, but instead was created by humankind's compulsory need for compartmentalization. There's no set definition for each race, it's all dependent on society's perception.
Ok...race isn't based off of physical appearances. Race is based off of the way humans have evolved while separated from each other for tens of thousands of years. Race is not subjective, it's no different than gender in that we're born a certain way. The physical traits are just proof of how much we've deviated from each other due to the different environments. And animals are actually categorized :))). I guess thats socially constructed too.
ReplyDeletepls no flame
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteAs to address your comment on how race isn't characterized by physical appearance... in your own blog you pointed out that there are physical differences between and African American and an Asian American man. This seems to me that you are saying that race is socially defined by physical attributes, and because these physical attributes are subject to being separated into races by society's definition, it is not biological.
DeleteI didn't mean to say that those physical appearances are what makes each race what they are but rather an indication of proof that there are differences within the human race and that we're not all the same.
DeleteThat's not the issue at hand, though. I did acknowledge the fact that, yes, there are genetic differences between races. The significance is the fact that the specific genetic differences that define race are created by society, thus making race a socially defined concept.
DeletePlease elaborate on how race is not subjective. There is a specific gene for gender, is there not? However, race is defined through a multitude of traits based off of society's guidelines. Also, I explicitly said that animals are categorized, perhaps you misunderstood me. My point in bringing up animals is that humans have an inherent need to categorize everything, even animals, but the animals themselves do fine without these categories. This is to say that the creation of race is not actually a catalyst for the advancement of humankind, or is even necessary in any way. If it's not, in fact, necessary, then how can you claim that race is biological? It was simply created by society as a means of separation.
ReplyDeleteRace is not something where you can argue whether or not you belong to a certain category. There's no rating system or guesses in what race you are. It's defined in you from the moment you were conceived. There are certain proteins and genes that are unique to each race which can be, given enough concern and time, can be used to check what race you are. As for the animal point, the only reason animals don't categorize each other is because they don't have the mental capacity to do so. Also they somewhat do as we learned from the PSAT *bottle nose dolphin pop*. They use these distinctions to distinguish between predator or prey and mutualistic relationships vs something that wants to eat you. Even though they do, it's not like humans will find a transcript of how lion categorize all other animals because they simply can't transcribe or communicate with us. As for your last point, I believe that races came first, then separation from fear of difference and their customs/stereotypes.
Deletecorrection for the last sentence - As for your last point, I believe that races came naturally, but separation from fear of difference and their customs/stereotypes ensued socially.
Delete