Constructing and Recognizing Race

Constructing and Recognizing Race
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Constructing and Recognizing Race
The meaning and understanding of race and ethnicity are often inclined towards social and personal construction. Many people do not consider race as biological because there are no specific genes that define race. Instead, it is a social construct. The divergences and lack of consensus on what race means make it a more volatile issue that people may express differing opinions. In contrast with race and racial identity, the notion of the social, political, and economic implications of race, or belonging to specific racial groups, have been more obvious. Like race, racial identity is an equally debatable issue. How a person perceives her or his racial identity can shift with experience and time, including multiracial and those who are not.
Part 1: Social Construction of Race and Changing Definition
The meaning and understanding of race have metamorphosed over time. Scholars such as biologists, geneticists, and anthropologists no longer consider race a scientific concept underpinned by distinct biological differences. Instead, understanding of race has transformed into more of a social issue than a “scientific issues based on hard facts”; the scientific rejection of race as a concept and popular acceptance of social perception of race as a social construct is gaining more momentum interests.
There is a tremendous change in the landscape in the concept of race. People globally are increasingly becoming multicultural, diverse, heterogeneous, and integrated (Hewstone, 2015: Yamashiro, 2013). With sprawling globalization, there is increased mobility and interactions of people from different ethnic and racial backgrounds (Ayu & Mckie, 2018). Immigration, social interactions, and intermarriages accompany this phenomenon. These interactions and integration tend to diminish the meaning and understanding of race. The concept of race is no longer distinct but blurred. The globe is an increasingly diverse place with millions of people living in ethnically, racially, and diverse neighbourhoods or cities (Hewstone, 2015). However, immigration has partly contributed to racialization and continuing anti-immigrant policies and sentiments despite integration and assimilation (Ballinas,2017).
The notion of distinct and clearly delineated race factor and identity is quickly losing meaning. The race is becoming more fluid and is now exposed to multiple determinations and perceptions, where individuals can decide which race they belong or identify with or not.
Part 2: How did I become aware of the concept of race and its significance, given example
I become aware of the aspect of race during my childhood...