Definition: The American Anthropological Association’s statement on race states: “physical variations in the human species have no meaning except the social ones that humans put on them.”
social construct, a social mechanism, phenomenon, or category created and developed by society; a perception of an individual, group, or idea that is `constructed' through cultural or social practice – Webster’s Dictionary
The idea that race is a social construct can be more easily understood when we consider the way in which we classify individuals of mixed heritage.
An increase in interracial marriages and children born of these marriages has given rise to new classifications. "Amer-Asian," for example, refers to someone who is half Asian and half White. Note however, that this term "Amer-Asian" does not refer to Black American/Asian mixes. As such, we can also discern that this term is intended to equate "American" with "White."
social construct, a social mechanism, phenomenon, or category created and developed by society; a perception of an individual, group, or idea that is `constructed' through cultural or social practice – Webster’s Dictionary
Social Constructs and Race
Research studies have challenged the idea of race by presenting evidence that the scientific basis for racial difference rests on shaky ground. A few studies found that "within group" differences (genetic variations within same-race groups) were more significant than those found between groups representing different races, and thus concluded that there is truly only one race, the human race.The idea that race is a social construct can be more easily understood when we consider the way in which we classify individuals of mixed heritage.
An increase in interracial marriages and children born of these marriages has given rise to new classifications. "Amer-Asian," for example, refers to someone who is half Asian and half White. Note however, that this term "Amer-Asian" does not refer to Black American/Asian mixes. As such, we can also discern that this term is intended to equate "American" with "White."
Examples:
Despite the term "Mulatto," American society continues to categorize those who are half Black and half White as Black. This practice reflects the influence of the "One Drop Rule" - a relic from the Jim Crow era where one drop of Black blood made you “Black.”
Harvard Professor Stephan Thernstrom addressed social constructs when he said, "The United States is the only country in the world in which a white mother can have a black child but a black mother cannot have a white child."
Despite the term "Mulatto," American society continues to categorize those who are half Black and half White as Black. This practice reflects the influence of the "One Drop Rule" - a relic from the Jim Crow era where one drop of Black blood made you “Black.”
Harvard Professor Stephan Thernstrom addressed social constructs when he said, "The United States is the only country in the world in which a white mother can have a black child but a black mother cannot have a white child."