Module 1 - Critical Reflection
1.
Explain why "race is an idea that we ascribe to biology" and how people use physical
differences to classify one another into racial groups?
Race is simply an idea that we ascribe to biology as a result of
social institutions and
practices
, not due to
differential outcomes between races in regard to any "racial" genes
(Adelman, 2003). Race is merely a social construct that the human species have learned to assign
to individuals based upon different, physical attributes. Race is likely ascribed to biology due to
the vast differences in appearance that we see emerge from different parts of the world.
Individuals use physical differences in order to classify one another into racial groups with
visible differences, including, but not limited to, skin color, hair texture/shape, eye shape/size,
facial features, and even body structure. However, “-
the idea of "race" has always carried
more meanings than mere physical differences-”
(American Anthropological Association,
1998). For instance, some way humans may classify an individual to a specific race can include
intelligence and even athleticism.
2.
What are some of the misconceptions that you have previously held about race?
The biggest of the misconceptions that I have previously held about race is that
individuals who descend from a certain race will hold an advantage over other races, in regard to
different abilities. Not only this, but those from a particular race, will all share the same
advantage. For one instance in particular, a misconception that I had previously held is that all
individuals who come from an Asian racial background, are highly intelligent. I also used to
believe that individuals can only be racist intentionally. However, I have gone around this
misconception by understanding
Individualistic Fallacy
, portraying that racism is not always
