Reference no: EM133777235
Assignment:
Describe how your definition of the term "race" has changed based upon the information presented in this course. (If your definition of this concept has not changed, then explain how the class further supported your original definition.) Offer two points from the weekly readings (week 5) that had an impact on your points of view.
Original Definition or Opinion: The book 'Race: Are We So Different?' Challenges the biological basis of race, emphasizing its social and cultural construction instead. It argues against scientific racism, which historically sought to justify racial inequalities through pseudoscientific claims of biological superiority or inferiority. In contrast, the NPR article on school segregation primarily addresses systemic inequalities and policies that perpetuate racial segregation in education. It likely refers to race in the context of social categories rather than biological determinism, aligning with the book's perspective that race is a social construct rather than a biological fact. The distinction between biological and cultural factors is crucial because it shapes how we understand and address race-related issues. Biological determinism has been used historically to justify discriminatory practices, whereas recognizing race as a social construct highlights how societal structures and policies contribute to racial disparities.
Therefore, while the NPR article may discuss racial segregation and its impacts, it likely does not delve into biological justifications for racial differences, thereby avoiding scientific racism. In conclusion, the NPR article and the book 'Race: Are We So Different?' contribute to the race discourse by emphasizing its social and cultural dimensions over biological determinism. This perspective underscores the importance of understanding race as a social construct shaped by historical and institutional factors rather than innate biological differences.
Citation:
Goodman, Alan H., Yolanda T. Moses, and Joseph L. Jones. 'Race: Are We So Different?' Chapter 1-4. American Anthropological Association, 2012.
NPR Article: "School Segregation Report".