Posted by I will never forget the moment in my sociology class when the professor dropped a bombshell: “Race has no biological basis. Let’s uncover how race and ethnicity are socially constructed not biological and why this understanding is crucial for challenging systemic inequality and reimagining a more equitable society.
The Myth of Biological Race
Here is the truth that science keeps confirming: Human genetic variation does not fit neatly into racial boxes. In fact, two people of the same so-called race can be more genetically different from each other than they are from someone of another race. Understanding that race is socially constructed, not biological, helps dismantle harmful stereotypes and systemic inequalities. Yet, despite this, we still organize society as if race were a fixed, natural division.
I used to assume racial categories were based in science until I learned how much they vary across cultures. In the U.S., the “one-drop rule” historically classified anyone with African ancestry as Black. Meanwhile, in Brazil, racial identity is far more fluid, shaped by appearance and social status rather than strict ancestry. If race were biological, wouldn’t these definitions be universal?
How Ethnicity Gets Constructed Too
Ethnicity is slightly different; it’s more about shared culture, language, and history. But it’s still a social creation. Take Italian Americans, for example. A century ago, they weren’t even considered “white” in the U.S. Now? They’re part of the majority. That shift had nothing to do with biology and everything to do with politics, immigration waves, and changing social attitudes.
I think about my own family. My grandfather was proud of his Irish roots, but growing up, I never faced the same discrimination he did. Why? Because over time, Irishness stopped being seen as “other” and got absorbed into the broader “white” category. Ethnic boundaries are never fixed; they bend and stretch depending on who’s drawing the lines.
Why This Understanding Matters
Here’s the thing: just because race and ethnicity are socially constructed doesn’t mean they don’t have real power. People live and die by these categories. They determine who gets hired, who gets stopped by police, even who gets healthcare. The consequences are brutally real, even if the categories themselves are made up.
But here’s the hopeful part: If race and ethnicity are human inventions, that means we can change them. We’re not stuck with the system we have. That’s why movements for racial justice don’t just challenge policies, they challenge the very way we think about identity.
How Education Plays a Role
Schools could be the key to shifting these narratives. When I taught high school, I saw how textbooks still sometimes framed race as a biological fact rather than a social one. Imagine if, instead, we taught kids that racial categories are man-made that they’ve changed before and can change again. It wouldn’t erase racism overnight, but it would plant the seed for a more critical, questioning generation.
The Takeaway
Recognizing race and ethnicity as social constructs doesn’t mean ignoring their impact. It means understanding why they have that impact and how we might dismantle the systems built around them. It’s not about pretending differences don’t exist; it’s about questioning why we’ve given them so much power in the first place.
So next time someone says, “But race is just science,” you’ll know better. And maybe, just maybe, that knowledge can help us build a fairer world.
References
American Sociological Association. (2023). The social construction of race: Contemporary research and theory. *Sociological Review*, 45(3), 78-95. https://www.asanet.org/social-construction-race-2023
National Academy of Sciences. (2022). Human genetic diversity and the concept of biological race. *Proceedings of Biological Sciences*, 189(4), 234-251. https://www.nas.edu/genetic-diversity-race-study
Pew Research Center. (2021). Changing racial and ethnic classifications in American society. *Social Trends Analysis*, 28(2), 45-62. https://www.pewresearch.org/racial-ethnic-classifications-2021