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Race and Genetics
Regardless of the way we look at it, race is indeed a subject that has much influence on the social, political as well as economic relations of people. Historically, supposed differences existing between individuals on the basis of race have been developed and sustained for various reasons. This has in some instances turned race into a highly emotive and divisive issue. However, it is important to note that studies have in the past clearly indicated that from a genetic perspective, human beings are largely identical. Thus the existing racial differences are socially constructed.
Why Arguments Citing Genetic Differences between the Races are Flawed
In the opinion of Delgado and Stefancic (2000), there is no single gene or even gene cluster that can be said to play a role in the determination of the race of an individual. For instance, the author notes that a look at the various genetic characteristics of blacks and those of non-blacks does not bring to the fore any existing differences. However, it is important to note that the vast majority of the minimal differences that do...
It is for this reason that Delgado and Stefancic (2000) note that "intra-group differences exceed inter-group differences." In other words, variations from a genetic perspective are more likely to be found within specific racial groups as opposed to between various races. Thus in the final analysis, "differences of skin color are simply surface adaptations to different climatic zones and have nothing to do with physical or mental capabilities" (Haviland et al. 2010).
"Race" as a Social Construct
"Race" as a concept has not always been in existence. Indeed, there is plenty of evidence demonstrating that race is indeed a creation of the society. According to Haviland et al. (2010), "anthropologists have shown that the concept of race emerged in the 18th century as an ideological vehicle for justifying European dominance over Africans and American Indians." This is effectively a case of a group determined to assert its authority or superiority by developing a diversion which could be used to justify its domination over another group. The diversion in this case…
References
Delgado, R. & Stefancic, J. (2000). Critical Race Theory: The Cutting Edge (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
Haviland, W.A., Prins, H.E.L., McBride, B. & Walrath, D. (2010). Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
Zastrow, C. (2009). Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare: Empowering People (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
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