Race as a Social Construct

Race as a Social Construct Omi and Winants discussion from Racial Formations are generally about expedite being a social construct and is also demonstrated in the see of Race The power of an illusion. Omi and Winant digest both agreed that dry wash is socially constructed in society. Ultimately this means that race is seen resistently in different societies and different cultures. Media, politics, school, economy and family helps alter societys structure of race. In the viewing , also media as well as history seemed to create race by showing how social norms have evolved in different racial groups.For example, Rules wrought by our perception of race in a comprehensively racial society determine the presentation of self, distinction of status, and appropriate modes of conduct (Omi and Winant 20). In different words, race tend to make their own rules for categorizing racial groups. We humans (usually more powerful ones) have set these arbitrary divisions and then call them rea l. Race is delineate differently within each culture. For example, as explained in the viewing, people in Africa see a person that is white in the United States as bootleg.This because they localize their races by socioeconomic status not the color of ones skin. Race is a social construction. And as a social construction, race functions as a root word of management that sustains the importance of certain groups and the maintenance of other groups. This concept only becomes reality when people behave in ways that perpetuate subordination. Race should be expressed as a concept but unfortunately people misuse race. Race has now replaced the older concept of culture.As a concept race came to be defined by superficial attributes like hair type and skin color. Film and television, for example, have been notorious in disseminating images of racial minorities which establish for audiences what people from these groups look like, how they behave and who they are(Omi and Winant 23). Race is just an idea and or a biological myth. According to the viewing , humans dont differ much inheritedally. Actually humans are genetically the most similar species. Why are humans so genetically alike?Humans have not existed long enough and have yet to evolve into various subspecies. Race is indeed a pre-eminently socio-historical concept (Omi and Winant 21). So race is historically made and not biologically. There is nothing real about race, a social construct, unlike a river which is absolute. A river will escist regardless of people thinking, agreeing or accepting that it does exist. Race requires people to collectively agree that it does exist , unlike a river. Although race does not exist in the world in an nonsubjective way, it still is relevant in todays society.It is obvious that race is real in society and it affects the way we view others as well as ourselves. Race is a social construct that is produced by the superior race and their power to regulate. The category of w hite was subject to challenges brought about by the influx of various groups who were not of the same Anglo-Saxonstock as the founding immigrants (Omi and Winant 24). Frankly, white was the norm, the others were considered an outcast. The dominant group in society are the one whom created restriction for group membership by defining race as a biological factor. White is seen as a pure category, as stated in the reading (Omi and Winant 21). Those who were black were biologically inferior to a white person. This is how the color line became about. Because of the color line , race was used to justify the captivity of the vastly growing broad black population early in United States society. Differences in skin color and other obvious physical characteristics supposedly provide visible clues to differences lurking underneath (Omi and Winant 23).The existence of racial ideology helps create racial sterotypes and myths. For example, in the viewing it was pointed out that American Jews rep ortedly dominated basketball during the first half of the 1900s. up to now , now it seems as if African Americans dominate the NBA. Concepts like Black athletic superiority is the belief black people have traits that have been acquired through genetic or een environmental factors. These factors help them excel over all other races in athletic competitions.The theories of racial differences and their possible effect on athletic efficiency have been noticed since the nineteenth century. More interests were attracted to the subject soon after the 1935 Track Championships, were Jesse Owens record breaking performance had shocked white Americans. Temperament, sexuality, intelligence, athletic ability, aesthetic preferences and so on are presumed to be fixed and discernible from the palpable mark of race (Omi and Winant 23). The dominant group in society has eternally defined race which sets every other race inferior.Race creates many differences in social status. Status is indicated by race. This can either include or blockade people from more social constructs. This can also prevent or allow certain powers or privileges. Race is a social construct fuel by agreement and acceptance. Throughout history race has been the core of our society. It is vital that people begin to realize that race is and will always be an seismic and de centered complex of social meanings constantly being transformed by political struggle (Omi and Winant 26).