During week one we began to discuss how race is a social construct, in which led many American’s into recognizing the concept of race as a biological fact. After reading the article “The Race Myth” by Graves I came to realize that like most Americans I have created this perception that race has always existed. Graves makes an excellent point when he talks about how he asked students when biological race came about and most responded by stating that it was a result due to a certain historical event of the past (Graves XXV). When in reality no one knows exactly when or how the concept of race came about. I think it is evident that it’s human nature to try to solve or at least gain more information about the unknowns in life. Here in America I think we especially emphasize this due to our dominant role in scientific research and reliance on science for approval and disproval. The creation of the concept of race is similar to that of the creation of life on earth in that science can only takes us so far then nonfactual reasoning is given to describe both. I think that if one is to reason about creation, which is poor science in itself, then one cannot possibly reason how to divided races or the concept of race itself. Not only when it began, but also how American’s perception of the concept of race as biological fact remains unjustified according to Graves (Graves XXX).
Graves also makes a good point in that many equate differences in geographic regions to differences in genes. As a society we do focus heavily on external physical characteristics to determine race when in reality genetic variation is minimal between and within races. Physical characteristics are only a small portion of an individual’s genes and thus one cannot clearly determine race by dividing up genetic variation. I also think that due to some groups of people having physical characteristics adapted for their geographic region does not determine their race. These adapted characteristics are simply to allow them to be more fit for their living environment and makes them no different than any other individual on the planet.
I also agree with Grave’s statement of that using physical characteristics to determine race is invalid due to that there would have to be a distinct independent lineage that can be followed back in history (Graves 8). Which there isn’t due to that throughout history humans were never isolated from mixing genetically with other humans. Dividing humans into races is not in any way similar to dividing animals into species. Simply due to the presence of different species of animals mating and producing offspring and humans only reproducing with other humans. One can also go into thinking about how humans have migrated to different geographic regions since the beginning of our time on Earth. These migrations have led to regions that are inhabited by a variety of people from all around the world. Thus eventually these diverse individuals, with in this region, then reproduce and their offspring are more diverse genetically than they were. The mixing of parental genes through countless generations and between people from all around the world makes it impossible to tract a distinct lineage and impractical to define a race based upon unclear biological history.
In conclusion I think that what I mainly took away from the readings and lecture is that science is only one way and not a very good way of describing race. One must create a mixture of all science, social, and cultural opinions to define ones race. I also think that even though having different races seems unjustified it is inevitable in today’s society. Yet as a society we must recognize classifying people with in a race will only have a negative impact if we choose to allow people to misuse classification.
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