1. The Social Construction of Race
Sociology 111
Fall 2008

2. The Race Game
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3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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