Definition Of Race
The word “race” is defined as one of the group of populations constituting humanity. Upon a first glance, the word seems easy enough to understand. However, what are these groups, and how does one categorize them? Who fits where, and why? These questions among others arise when thinking of race. Does race really exist? Genetically, a race may be defined as a group with gene frequencies differing from those of the other groups in the human species, although the genes in question make up a tiny percentage of the total human genome. The term race is inappropriate when applied to national, religious, or cultural groups, nor can the biological criteria of race be equated with mental ...
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physical characteristics, anthropologists at one time agreed on the existence of three relatively distinct groups of people, namely Caucasoid, Mongoloid, and Negroid, distinguished by such traits as skin color, hair type and color, shape of body, head, and facial features, and blood traits. Today, however, there is no scientific basis whatsoever for a general classification of races according to a scale of relative superiority, and racial prejudices and myths are no more than a means of finding a scapegoat when the position of individuals and the cohesion of a group are threatened. Anthropologists stress the heterogeneity of world population, and many reject the concept of race outright. This concept is not understood by most, and must be emphasized to people around the world. This would create unity the world over simply by pointing out that race does not exist.
In order to fully understand this concept, the history of the word “race” must be analyzed. Throughout ...
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biological definitions of man distinguished by physically evident features, e.g. Caucasian, Negroid and Mongoloid” developed at a time of discovering new people. These actions were leading to social competition for the government-dominant white Europeans. This led to the need for divisional boundaries to protect Europeans from the other “races” and put themselves on a plateau above others. Essentially, these categories were created to keep the top on top and the bottom on the bottom.
While it is clear that there is only one human species, there are no objective reasons for splitting or lumping at any lower taxonomic level (I.e., subspecies, races, and varieties). From the earliest ...
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Definition Of Race. (2008, February 9). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Definition-Of-Race/78768
"Definition Of Race." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 9 Feb. 2008. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Definition-Of-Race/78768>
"Definition Of Race." Essayworld.com. February 9, 2008. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Definition-Of-Race/78768.
"Definition Of Race." Essayworld.com. February 9, 2008. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Definition-Of-Race/78768.
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