1. Ethnicity and Race

2. Ethnicity
A social category based upon certain cultural traits or characteristics
Humans have the capacity to learn any cultural behavior through socialization

3. See AAA Statement on Race (1998):

4. Biological Race
A geographically-isolated species left alone long enough to evolve into a new species
Humans haven’t been around long enough for this to happen

5. DNA Evidence
Almost all (about 94%) of physical variation lies within so-called racial groups.
Only 6% of our genes are race-related.
So, people of different racial groups differ from one another by only about 6% of their genes.

6. Skin color
Melanin:
particles in skin that give it its color and protect it from dangerous UV rays.

7. So, “race” is a myth.
There is no such thing as “race” as most of us see it.
“Race” in terms of inherently inferior and superior groups of people with different mental and physical capacities is completely false.

8. Social Race
Group assumed to have a biological basis, but actually created and defined by society (Social Construction)

9. Social Construction A label imposed upon us.
Appears natural, but actually made-up.
Definition and understanding change with time, place, and culture.
VERY REAL in its consequences

10. Step 1: Lump people together by skin color.
4-Step Process
Step 1: Lump people together by skin color.

11. Step 2: Attach meanings to racial group.
Race was never merely about creating categories, but about creating a hierarchy.
Economic, political, social power
Based on, and justified by…
Stereotypes: simplified, rigid mental images of what certain groups are like.

12. Step 3: Differences are exaggerated.
“Otherness” is always emphasized and highlighted.
- “Us” vs. “Them”

14. More Racist Cartoons
"Equal Burdens”

15. "Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips"
"Jungle Jitters” (1930’s)

16. Step 4: Society is Stratified
Societal resources and rewards are distributed unevenly, according to racial classification.
This is done through systematic institutionalized discrimination.

17. Discrimination:
the unequal treatment of certain people on the basis of “race,” ethnicity, religion, gender, and other ascribed factors. (justified by stereotypes)

18. What can we do about this?

19. Since race is socially constructed, we can deconstruct it to work towards justice and equality in society.

20. Make the implicit explicit.
Implied ideas and taken-for-granted assumptions need to be uncovered and questioned.
Look for hidden norms.
Whose perspective are we getting?
We Need to Ask, “Who benefits from race?”

21. In Conclusion:
Inequalities between so-called “racial” groups are not due to biological inheritance, but are products of historical and contemporary social, economic, educational, and political circumstances.

22. Recommended Readings
1. “A History: The Construction of Race and Racism.” from the Dismantling Racism Project (
2. “Man’s Most Dangerous Myth: That Fallacy of Race.” by: Ashley Montagu
3. “Credit to Our Race.” by: Tim Wise
4. “Racial Formation in the United States.”
by: Michael Omi and Howard Winant
5. Dr. Rice (his research and thoughts)