Social Construction Of Race Analysis

One of the most prevalent themes throughout the world’s history is the dispute over race and racial differences. But, there is a problem: the majority of the population doesn’t have a clear understanding of what race is. Race is a socially constructed grouping of people that was created in order for people to differentiate themselves from one another and has many sources of influence. While most people believe race is determined by biological characteristics (hair type, skin color, eye shape, etc.), this is not true. To make things more complicated, there is no cut and dry definition to race. Authors of Race and Ethnicity in Society, Elizabeth Higginbotham and Margret Anderson, claim that there are seven different distinct ways to define race. They begin with the popular belief of biological characteristics, and, as mentioned before, through social construction. They go on to note that race can be formed from an ethnic group, from social class rank, from racial formation by institutions, and also can form from one’s self-definition (Higginbotham & Anderson, 2012, p. 13). All of these ways to define race have been seen throughout our history, and many of them have caused problems for minorities, especially in the United States.

Like other encyclopedias the Encyclopedia of Race and Ethnic Studies offers reference work and summaries of information from various contributors. However, this encyclopedia focuses only on race and ethnic. Barry Troyna the provider Race Relations: As Activity. Troyna defines race relation as behavior, which arise from the contacts and resulting interaction of people with varied physical and cultural characteristics. Moreover, Troyna asserted that race relation has become increasingly important because of

In chapter four of Racial Formation in the United States, written by Michael Omi and Howard Winant, discuss their “Theory of Racial Formation.” The authors first define to the audience what race means to them. They state that “race is a way of ‘making up people,’” however, this can cause to confusion and contradiction in prior definitions of race. (Omi Winant, 2015) When one tries to classify other individuals race then is can be “othering,” which means putting differing groups of people in their own category. It is common to see “gender, class, sexuality, religion, culture, language, nationality, and age” among the factors that lead to discrimination or stereotyping. (Omi Winant, 2015) Placing individuals in their specific group is always subject to change, because there is always a “variation over historical time and space.” (Omi Winant, 2015) Each and every definition of a group of people can be interpreted differently and that is what causes the gap of misunderstanding. Most higher educations are explaining race differently, as a social constructions rather than a classification of a mass.

For this week’s memo, I decided to read “Racial Formations” by Omi and Winant. The reading talks about the meaning of race as being defined and challenged throughout society in both collective and personal practices. It also suggests that racial categories are created, changed, ruined, and renewed. Omi and Winant explore the idea that the conception of race developed progressively, ultimately being created to validate and rationalize inequality. It began with the denial of political rights and extended into the introduction of slavery and other forms of forcible labor.

Racial Formation in the United States by Michael Omi and Howard Winant made me readjust my understanding of race by definition and consider it as a new phenomenon. Through, Omi and Winant fulfilled their purpose of providing an account of how concepts of race are created and transformed, how they become the focus of political conflict, and how they shape and permeate both identities and institutions. I always considered race to be physical characteristic by the complexion of ones’ skin tone and the physical attributes, such as bone structure, hair texture, and facial form. I knew race to be a segregating factor, however I never considered the meaning of race as concept or signification of identity that refers to different types of human bodies, to the perceived corporal and phenotypic makers of difference and the meanings and social practices that are ascribed to these differences, in which in turn create the oppressing dominations of racialization, racial profiling, and racism. (p.111). Again connecting themes from the previous readings, my westernized influences are in a direct correlation to how to the idea of how I see race and the template it has set for the rather automatic patterns of inequalities, marginalization, and difference. I never realized how ubiquitous and evolving race is within the United States.

In the United States both scholars and the general public have been conditioned to viewing human races as natural and separate divisions within the human species based on visible physical differences. With the vast expansion of

The topic this week is to explain what sociologists mean when they argue that race is a social construction, and we were also asked to give a specific real life example in order for us to be able to relate and understand it.

Race is not something that is an exact thing. It is a social construct. It is a reflection of who you are and what you perceive.

Humans define race by how they conceive and categorize different social realities. Thus, race is often referred to as a social construct. The differences in skin color and facial characteristics have led most of society to classify humans into groups instead of individuals. These constructs affect us all, and they often result in situations where majority racial groups cause undue suffering to those that are part of the minority. The understanding of race as a social construct is best illustrated by the examination of racial issues within our own culture, specifically those that have plagued the history of the United States.

I have to say this was the first time I looked at race and ethnicity as being “socially constructed”. I had to really look at what the definition was and what it really meant. After reading the article you provided and chapter 2 in the book, and also doing a little surfing to find other articles on the subject. I agree with Mr. Johnson that race is “socially constructed”.

An important dialogue has been created amongst historians. This dialogue is based on whether or not race is a biological factor or a social construct. Both ideas will be explored. Race plays a large role in our society. Certain races have stigmas associated with them that ultimately lead to discrimination.

Today, social scientists refer to race as a “social construct” and there is no shortage of definitions that refer to race as a social construct. (Gabbidon & Greene, 2013, p.2) “Race and ethnicity are social constructions because their meanings are derived by focusing on arbitrary characteristics that a given society deems socially important… and are social products based on cultural values not scientific facts. (Gallagher, 1997, p.2). It is my firm belief that race is something man made in definition and as such so is the results related to racial issues.

When looking at a person the first thing we notice is appearance and base judgment of that we tend to make assumptions about a person. From birth, we have no say in our race, the color of our eyes, hair or skin tone. In Germany, Hitler eliminated more than 65 billion jews due to dividing race. White people took the freedom of African African due to their color but before that many races took advantage of others due to hate or resources. In this chapter, the race comes into the term with stereotyping the minority group and fighting to be the dominant group or fitting in. Typically America is seen as the melting pot, where all these race come together as one. In the following documentary, Understanding Race and white people explore cities like New York, North

Omi and Winant’s discussion from “Racial Formations” are generally about race being a social construct and is also demonstrated in the viewing of Race - The power of an illusion. Omi and Winant have both agreed that race is socially constructed in society. Ultimately this means that race is seen differently in different societies and different cultures. Media, politics, school, economy and family helps alter society’s structure of race. In the viewing , also media as well as history seemed to create race by showing how social norms have evolved in different racial groups.

A majority of people here in the United States have felt a touch of the issues, that come with classification of race. Due to this, many men and women of the minority racial groups are put in to sub-groups as a way to “help” give them an identity that can relate to. This idea to separate people by giving them identities is called the Racial Formation Theory. First introduced by Michael Omi and Howard Winant, the theory is a tool that helps build the idea that race is a social contracted tool where your racial status is weighed upon by many factors such as by those social, economic and political origin. By using race a way to build lines and boundaries, this has resulted in causing a rift to grow between the majority and minority