The Social Construction of Race Sociology 111 Fall 2008

The Race Game http://www.pbs.org/race/002_SortingPeople/ 002_00-home.htm

Is race “real”? Little scientific evidence for the existence of race Genetic differences are extremely minute Nearly all humans are “mixed” Anthropologists have found as few as 2 or as many as 2,000. Race is modern idea Historical research shows race evolved as an explanation for conquest of indigenous peoples during Age of Exploration

Race can change Racial categories depend more on society than biological characteristics In US, children born to the same parents are the same race. In Brazil, children born to the same parents may be DIFFERENT races…if their appearance is different. Have at least 7 terms that would fall into our category of “white” or “black” depending on curliness of hair, hair color, eye color, etc.

The Comb Test In the Postbellum South, some churches would deny entrance to non-whites. Proved “whiteness” if a comb could pass through one’s hair.

A cultural and social reality The idea or perception of race makes it real. Sociological phenomenon described by the Thomas and Thomas theorem. WI and DS Thomas If we are socialized into a culture that treats a social phenomenon as real, we will see it as real...and it will be real in its consequences. Pertains to much more than just race/ethnicity

Social reality has consequences for life chances The same as gender and social class affect our identity and opportunities we are afforded Legacy of substantial social inequality