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Race: Social Construct Of Social Identity

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Race is the social construct of social identities. We distinguish the uniqueness of individuals in such ways that our genotype and phenotype are closely associated to classifying these individuals into a particular race. Our culture, physical characteristics, and ethnicity separates us into five different categories of race: Black/African American, Yellow/Asian (including Pacific Islanders), Red/Native Americans, Brown/Hispanic/Latino, and White/Caucasian. Throughout history, darker complexions were often looked down upon. White skin becomes more favorable and are seen to be more superior than the other colors, creating this ideology that justifies inequality. Thus, creating the foundation of discrimination and social inequality in the United …show more content…

People of color experience racism, whereas we receive unfairly distributed rights and resources. We lack the institutional power. Racism benefits white people because it impacts us in a way where we feel like there is someone preventing us from opening new doors. Race oppresses minorities and in fact, if race was not real, we would not have this argument. It is evident that race oppresses minorities because we had to fight to end slavery, fight for civil rights, and fight for our equal opportunity this land promised. Minorities do not receive the same opportunities such as education as white Americans, no matter the socioeconomic status of the individual. We often have to work harder and prove our worth to society. Minorities were placed in segregated schools that received less funding compared to the schools servicing whites. White people do not have to fear getting randomly selected at the airport, white people do not get harassed or followed by a cop, white people are not victims of police brutality, white people never had to fight for their rights because they had them since they stole Native Americans land. White privilege is hidden and …show more content…

Social media has set a huge impact on American racial realities from news coverage to online apps. Instances such as racial profiling could have influence the interviewees conception. The interviewee can receive different perspectives and information from various outlets and determine her stance on that. We live in a diverse country and have the ability to understand that there are different types of ethnicities that lie beyond race. Since we were able to see and comprehend this, we notice the similarities and differences in phenotype among races. We begin to categorize these similar phenotypes in individuals and place them into a ‘matching’ race. In order to change the interviewees view, I believe that the U.S needs to diminish racism completely and support racial healing. We need to refer back to our roots and maintain equal opportunity for everyone, despite their race, religion, or

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