Eugenics Definition Of Race
The definitions of race are largely dependent on societal and biological factors. Race refers to a person's physical characteristics, or phenotypes. Race is largely focused on skin color. Ethnicity is based on a shared origin or way of life. Ethnicity looks at culture, nationality, language and history. Race is determined by how you look while ethnicity is determined based on the social and cultural groups you belong to. While ethnicity has a basis in the biological sciences, the idea of race is socially constructed. Race assumes a shared ethnicity; however there is no evidence to make the assumption that all of those with the same skin color shares an ethnicity. A caste system is a class structure where the position of a person in society
…show more content…
There are no biological markers for all members of one race, and the genetic variation in the human population is actually very small. Earlier in history, science was influenced by society’s view of race, and research and experiments that spanned decades looked to find a scientific reason for race. I was most surprised about the section on the “Eugenics” movement. I had never heard of this movement in any history class, and while I knew racism existed, I never knew it went to the lengths of trying to breed the best and brightest white babies. This documentary really pushes the belief; that race is only skin deep. I think this is a really important topic of discussion, especially in our current political climate. How exactly do we define people of varying races in our daily lives? How often do we classify somebody on their race as opposed to their ethnic origin? What scale do we use to define certain skin colors, and what scales do others use? The concept of race is one that was conceived and bred into today’s society, and it’s a concept that we don’t question now. Why is that we no longer question classification by race though? Is it because those of us with what is perceived as a better skin tone don’t realize the disadvantages that those with a darker complexion face? Or is it that we choose to ignore the idea race, because we enjoy the advantages out skin color brings us? We are currently living in a society where many have chosen to speak out against the issues of race, and we currently have an entire movement surrounding it (Black Lives Matter). But change will only come when we stop standing behind a movement, and actually speak up when we see racial inequality in our daily lives. In the end there is no real way to measure race, because it is completely
There are no biological markers for all members of one race, and the genetic variation in the human population is actually very small. Earlier in history, science was influenced by society’s view of race, and research and experiments that spanned decades looked to find a scientific reason for race. I was most surprised about the section on the “Eugenics” movement. I had never heard of this movement in any history class, and while I knew racism existed, I never knew it went to the lengths of trying to breed the best and brightest white babies. This documentary really pushes the belief; that race is only skin deep. I think this is a really important topic of discussion, especially in our current political climate. How exactly do we define people of varying races in our daily lives? How often do we classify somebody on their race as opposed to their ethnic origin? What scale do we use to define certain skin colors, and what scales do others use? The concept of race is one that was conceived and bred into today’s society, and it’s a concept that we don’t question now. Why is that we no longer question classification by race though? Is it because those of us with what is perceived as a better skin tone don’t realize the disadvantages that those with a darker complexion face? Or is it that we choose to ignore the idea race, because we enjoy the advantages out skin color brings us? We are currently living in a society where many have chosen to speak out against the issues of race, and we currently have an entire movement surrounding it (Black Lives Matter). But change will only come when we stop standing behind a movement, and actually speak up when we see racial inequality in our daily lives. In the end there is no real way to measure race, because it is completely