Sam Strong

ANTH 1020-014
Research Paper
The concept of Race

The concept of race is a very tricky thing. What makes defines a race? When asked what
characteristics distinguish human races, they reply that physical and cultural characteristics must
be used to identify human races (Graves, 2009) How many races are there? When university
students are asked to name how many races exist within the human species their answers range
between one infinity (Graves, 2009). I feel that the concept of race should be much clearer.
Looking at the biological definition of race we see that race can be described as a
category of people who share certain inherited physical characteristics, such as skin color, facial
features, and stature (Barkan, 2012). Another look at a biological definition of race is race is
commonly and popularly defined in terms of biological traitsphenotypic differences in skin
color, hair texture, and other physical attributes, often perceived as surface manifestations of
deeper, underlying differences in intelligence, temperament, physical prowess, and sexuality
(Smelser, 2001). One last biological perspective on race is geographically patterned phenotypic
variation within species (Jurmain).
Comparing the above definitions it can be seen that defining race biologically relies
heavily on physical appearances. Although the biological outlook on race has changed over time
it has been centered on the same basic ideas and principles. Looking at information from
Human Origins we learn that even as early as 1350 B.C. ancient Egyptians categorized people
based on their skin color. In the 18th century Linnaeus continued to say that skin color depicted a
certain ranking in the community, with the idea that Europeans were superior to other races

(Jurmain, pg312); the Linnaean classification also implied that there was a physical linkage
between the outward physical appearance of the human varieties and their behavioral norms (Graves,
2009). Later in the 18th century Johann Blumenbach still used skin color as a base for his idea of
classification, but noted that skin color was not a discrete phenomena which would allow
overlap into different groups. All of these philosophies led to ideas such as biological
determinism and eugenics, which were early forms of racism.
Now lets consider the social perception of race. One idea is Another way to say this is
that race is a social construction, a concept that has no objective reality but rather is what people
decide it is (Barkan, 2012). A second look at social definitions of race stands as The idea of
race and its persistence as a social category is only given meaning in a social order structured
by forms of inequality, economic, political, and cultural that are organized, to a significant
degree, along racial lines (Smelser, 2001).
The concept of race from a social definition seem to be based upon each individuals
perception. One might classify race based upon economic status, while another might base it off
of cultural differences. This is not to say that each persons social view on race will be uniquely
different from every other view, but those with similar views would be grouped together, forming
their own thought culture, which might be considered as a new way to socially define race!
Without going into every detail, it can be seen that race from a social angle is could include
physical appearances but is much more likely to be based upon what a person puts on themselves
rather than what was put upon them. By this I mean that a person cannot choose what color their
skin color will be when they are born, but they can choose to wear expensive clothing or to join a
certain political party, both of which would contribute to classification in a social race.

While looking at race from a biological perspective, it may be easier to quickly sort
people based upon their looks, but many people would agree that this is not the way race should
be defined anymore. Race is and outdated creation of the human mind that attempts to simplify
biological complexity by organizing it into categories (Jurmain, pg314). I would agree with this
statement. Race cannot be determined by skin color alone that leads to many problems and
disunity throughout the world. As stated in The Changing Meaning of Race, clearly, there is
an enormous gap between the scientific rejection of race as a concept, and the popular
acceptance of it as an important organizing principle of individual identity and collective
consciousness (Smelser, 2001). Race should not be a discriminatory factor but it should be a
tool to help build unity.
Speaking from my own mind and experience, while there needs to be some sort of
classification or order, it needs to be done carefully. I lived in Ghana in West Africa for a couple
of years, if there is one thing that I learned while I was there, it is that everybody knows
something, everybody has something to contribute to the world. I met a lot of different people
over there 99.9% of which had dark skin. I noticed that I was smarter than some of the people I
met, but many of them were smarter than me as well. The same is true here in America, I meet a
lot of different people through school and work, from all different nationalities and backgrounds,
again I am smarter than some of them, and many of them are smarter than me. The point I am
really trying to make is if I had the overall choice, I would let race be used synonymously with
the word species, like it says in Human Origins page 313. Let us all be one, the human race.
Everybody can learn from each other. But if a classification system must exist, whether it is
biological or social, it should not be used to pit humans against each other. Let it be there to help
people know that indeed individuals are different, but also let them know that those differences

are always bad. I feel that many people get caught up in generalizations, that once one person
does something wrong, all people that are similar to them, in biological terms or social terms, are
also bad. That is not true. Let there be a distinction, but let it be a sign that there is opportunity
for growth and development for us as a human race. Thats my two cents.

Bibliography
Barkan, Steven E. "Racial and Ethnic Inequality." A Primer on Social Problems. Vol. 1. 2012.
101-107. Print.
Graves Jr., Joseph. "Biological and Social Definitions of Race: Implications for Modern
Biomedical Research." Biological and Social Definitions of Race: Implications for Modern
Biomedical Research. 2 Dec. 2009. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.
Jurmain, Robert, Lynn Kilgore, and Wenda Trevathan. Human Origins: Evolution and Diversity.
Print.
Smelser, Neil J., and William J. Wilson. "The Changing Meaning of Race." America Becoming
Vol. 1: Racial Trends and Their Consequences. Washington: National Academies, 2001. 243-263.
Print.