race is socially/biological constructed

The primary goal of this essay is to examine whether race is a sociological or biological construct. It also seeks to make it clear if we should stop talking about or thinking about race. Several academics have developed distinct perspectives on the race concept during the past few years. For instance, Anthony Appiah (1985) argues that race should be removed, while W.E.B. Dubois (1897) says that some conceptions of race should be kept. Finally, Joshua Glasgow (2009) and Sally Hasslanger (2000) propose that race should be transformed into something new.

Race as a Social Construct

The term Race refers to a form of grouping used by the Human Population to group people based on factors such as genetics, ancestry, and physical traits (Bell & Grosholz & Stewart, 2014). Over the past years, there has been a division among people due to the factors mentioned above, this has led to the rise of racial discrimination (Bell & Grosholz & Stewart, 2014). The term racial discrimination refers to the discrimination against individuals based on their race.

Scientific Perspective on Race

There are at least four major race categories in the World today; they include the Whites, Mongloid, Negroid, and Australoid (Katz & Taylor, 2013). Based on research and results from different scholars, it is quite evident that Race is not supported by Science. Race has been made real by Social facts about its History and its continued use. Generally, it is safe to state the fact that Race is a Social Construct.

One Human Race

Various scholars and people have their own opinions based on the term Race. Some believe it is a social Construct while others believe it is biological; however, it is safe to state the fact that most people favor the Social Construct phenomenon (Macedo & Gounari, 2015). Some of the facts that can be used to ascertain this fact is because all Humans are identical. It is important to note the fact that all Human beings whether a Negroid, Caucasian, Mongloid, or Australoid are identical (Robinson, 2016). They have the same features that make them distinct from other creatures.

Science and DNA

Race is also a social construct since Science and DNA depict the fact that there is only one Human race (Appiah, 2015). According to Science, the issue on multiple races originated from the Evolutionary theory. This theory tries to explain on the reason as to why there are racial lines. The other reason that can be used as proof is the fact that all Human beings have the same DNA (Macedo & Gounari, 2015). Based on the results from different scientist and scholars, every Human being has the same set of DNA structure/strand.

Genetic Similarities

This means that the same set of DNA strand in a Negroid all is also present in Mongloid. 99.9% of all Human DNA from different races is the same. In summary, a white and black person have the same Genetics (Katz & Taylor, 2013). They have the same components that make up the Human body such as the Heart, Kidney, and Liver. This organs perform the same functions (Feagin, 2013). There is no established instance where the body organs have been seen to work differently when it comes to the respective races.

Lack of Biological Evidence

Another important point that can be used as proof is the fact that there is no biological evidence that points out that race is something that is real. As mentioned above, Human beings are 99.9% the same, the remaining 1% is split between the different races (Delgado & Stefancic, 2017). This 1% is responsible for different scientists and scholars believing that race is a biological construct based on biological phenomenon.

Factors Influencing Physical Differences

Factors such as skin and eye color and complexity of the hair are as a result of Human adaptation to the surrounding environment (Appiah, 2015). For example, skin and eye color are as a result of the different intensities of sunlight while the complexity of the hair and its structure depends on the surroundings weather/climate. The main reason why Humans are different from one another is also based on factors such as Culture, Geography, and Cultural diet (Robinson, 2016). It is also important to note the fact that factors such as the shape of the nasal, skull, and color of the skin cannot determine genetics or race.

Effects of Racial Division

Over the past years, the Human race has created division amongst themselves based on racial lines. Some of the races believe they are superior to the other (Bell & Grosholz & Stewart, 2014). This has caused wrangles and division as portrayed by various protests and fights. As Humans, we ought to understand the fact that we have one common origin, we are also made of Body Components that are alike (Delgado & Stefancic, 2017). It should be understood that the concept about race is based on social construct. It is based on the Historical talk that has existed since the Beginning of times.

The Need to Abolish Racial Concepts

Based on the concepts listed above, there is no need to retain any concepts on race. The term race has been used by many people to create division and insignificant differences (Katz & Taylor, 2013). As much as W.E.B Dubois points that certain concepts should be retained, this is not right. Racial concepts can only be used to differentiate different groups of people in the Human race positively. In case all the concepts about race are retained, it will lead to further division and hatred. Some of the impacts that are related to racism are violence, protests, and killing of innocent souls/lives.

The Perspective of Anthony Appiah

When we look at another scholar known as Anthony Appiah (1985), it is evident that he does not like the idea/concept about race (Appiah, 2015). Anthony clearly stands to the fact that the idea about race should be abolished/eliminated. Personally, it is obvious that if the concept about race is abolished, people will be able to live in a much better World. A place where people can be able to interact and share not minding about one’s ancestry, cultural background, or skin color. According to Anthony, the racial concept has dragged the Human population drastically (Appiah, 2015). Imagine the type of World we would be living in if people were forged/united.

Uniting Different Races

Elimination of the racial concept will bring people closer. It will create a much stronger front. Different groups of people that belong to different races will be able to relate and understand each other. It will also lead to the end of racial discrimination/segregation (Bell & Grosholz & Stewart, 2014). Peace and harmony cannot be achieved in case there is no cooperation among the races involved.

Changing the Concept of Race

In the event where the elimination of race proves to be futile, the next method/alternative that can be used is making or changing the race to become something else. For example, some of the Human races are self-centered and might be reluctant in forming unions or fronts with other races (Delgado & Stefancic, 2017). Just as Joshua Glasgow (2009) put it, the only option left is to make race into something else. There are different ways through which race can be made into something else.

Shaping the Future Generations

The concept and history of racism are usually spread from one generation to the next via different means. Some learn about the racial concept by watching videos, television, and the internet while others learn through reading and learning at School (Delgado & Stefancic, 2017). Personally, the best way to ensure that racism is turned into something that is positive is by ensuring that information displayed on TV, videos, and the internet does not promote racism in a negative way. Different bodies should be set up to ensure that there is a close follow up on the information being displayed.

Promoting Positive Knowledge

Only positive Knowledge and information should be displayed on such sites. This will ensure that the next generation being groomed will not have any negative concepts about people who belong to races that are different from their upbringings (Macedo & Gounari, 2015). Schools should also abolish teaching racial concepts/ideas that clash with the views of creating a community that is made of people who think about Race differently. Schools ought to extend their curricular to ensure they have different Human topics integrated. This topics will help in fostering the Human race. People from the coming generations will be able to come together, interact, and share information without any form of biasness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is safe to state the fact that Race is a social construct. It has been proven both scientifically and through DNA that Human beings belong to the same race. The only difference between people who belong to the different groups in the World is the fact that the Earth is vast. As a result of this vastness, some areas are made up of Geographical features that are different from the others. This has resulted in different climates/weather. Due to the varying geographical and weather features, people living in these areas have adapted differently. This is the main reason why we have blacks and whites. It is also the same reason why some people have different eye colors and hair complexities.

Bibliography

Appiah, K.A., 2015. The Race in the Modern World: Problem of the Color Line. Foreign Aff., 94, p.1.

Bell, B.W., Grosholz, E.R. and Stewart, J.B., 2014. WEB Du Bois on race and culture. Routledge.

Delgado, R. and Stefancic, J., 2017. Critical race theory: An introduction. NYU Press.

Feagin, J., 2013. Systemic racism: A theory of oppression. Routledge.

Glasgow, J., 2013. The Philosophy of Race, by Atkin Albert: Durham, Acumen, 2012 pp. vi+ 194,£ 15.99 (paperback).

Katz, P.A. and Taylor, D.A. eds., 2013. Eliminating racism: Profiles in controversy. Springer Science & Business Media.

Macedo, D. and Gounari, P., 2015. Globalization of racism. Routledge.

Robinson-Wood, T., 2016. The convergence of race, ethnicity, and gender: Multiple identities in counseling. Sage Publications.

Van Dijk, T.A., 2015. Racism and the Press (Vol. 5). Routledge.