Overview
This lecture explores the concept of race, discussing its origins, its shifting definitions in history, and why race is a social construct rather than a biological reality.
The Origins of Racial Categories
- A German scientist in 1776 first attempted to classify humans into five races by physical traits and ancestry.
- Americans of European descent embraced racial categorization to justify slavery and resolve contradictions with ideals of freedom.
The Changing Definitions of Race
- In the U.S., racial definitions have shifted for political and economic reasons, such as census classifications of Mexican ancestry from white to non-white and back.
- Definitions of who was considered "black" have varied widely by state and time period.
- Since 2000, Americans can identify as more than one race on the census, increasing confusion and mixed identities.
The Biological Reality of Race
- There is no specific "race gene" in human DNA; race is not a biological fact.
- Health differences attributed to race are often due to ancestry, geography, or social factors, not biology.
The Social Power of Race
- Racial categories, though made up, still deeply affect people's experiences, political status, and health outcomes.
- The concept of race persists because it shapes real social and political realities.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Race — a socially constructed system for categorizing people based on physical traits and ancestry.
- Social construct — an idea created and accepted by society, not dictated by biology.
- Sickle-cell anemia — a genetic disease linked to regions with high malaria, not race.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on how race as a concept affects society and your own perspective.
- Review the history of racial classification in U.S. census records.