Kubendran Palani

Anthropology

The Research Paper

The Concept of Race

A group of people identified as distinct from other groups because of supposed physical

or genetic traits shared by the group. Most biologists and anthropologists do not recognize race

as a biologically valid classification, in part because there is more genetic variation within

groups than between them. (Race. (n.d.). Retrieved December 04, 2017, from

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/race)

A same kind of isolated population of species that have different within other group of

same species through biological perspective. Example: A islands of finches found by Charles

Darwin. When he found these different types of beaks in finches at Galapagos Islands off the

coast of Ecuador, it made him think differently. Hows that possible and why should these

finches have different beaks. Later, he found their food resources for each group of bird and

noticed the different in their hardness of the seed. The bigger the seeds and stronger the beaks of

the finches. It gave the root for him to research and publish his first book that explained the

theory of Natural selection.

Concept of race derived by modern human to

identify a specific group of people through social

perspective. They divide group among their own

community. In ancient India, the race determined by their

work as caste in order as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas

 Kubendran Palani

and the Shudra. Also divided into High and low caste. All these group only for Hindu religion

and its believers. The groups other than Hindu caste system were the Dalits or the untouchables.

The brahmins are the priest and the teachers, the kshatriyas are the warriors and rulers, Vaishyas

are the farmer, traders and merchants, and finally, Dalits are the street sweepers and latrine

cleaners.

From these four castes, it divided into about 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes, each

based on their specific occupation. Each group have their own name which specified them. As an

India soil born should have their Community Certificate which allows them to join school, job,

or attending exams. I belong to a caste Mukkulathor. It sub-divided into Agamudiyar, maravar,

and kallar. Mostly people will get married within their own caste. The caste has a big impact on

our country. It even derives who become a senator of the state. I considered Caste as a race in my

country which still have a great impact on people.

I came to united states of America as a student. When I came here, they ask me to fill an

immigration form which have race categories with some options like Asian, American Indian,

Hispanic and more. I saw the same kind of category when I applied for my Utah identification

card. Categories below.

Race Categories

American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples

of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal

affiliation or community attachment.

 Kubendran Palani

Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast

Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan,

Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of

Africa. Terms such as "Haitian" or "Negro" can be used in addition to "Black or African

American".

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original

peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East,
or North Africa

Ethnicity Categories

Hispanic or Latino: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central

American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. The term, "Spanish
origin", can be used in addition to "Hispanic or Latino".
Not Hispanic or Latino

My view on ethically categories are needed to identify or to have an account of a specific

group. Especially in United States, where there are millions of immigrants spread throughout the
country. So, it is important to have an ethnicity to identify the people.
Reference:

http://www.iowadatacenter.org/
www.thefreedictionary.com
http://www.bbc.com
Human Origins: Essentials of Physical Anthropology