Race represents such a complex and delicate subject which society still struggles to decode, understand or find a common ground on how to explain such terminology. This essay will explore the origin and the approach taken by sociologists on the matter of race, but by no means does this short essay intend to produce a solution for this term, it is important to acknowledge that no simple solution can be found, however, one must continue seeking alternatives to more clearly understand the issues produced by such terminology. Throughout this essay, different views and ideas will be displayed in order to share the sociological approach to race. Furthermore, this essay has no interest in biological theories about race among human beings which point out biological differences between groups based on one’s skin colour or place of birth. Similar research in Britain and US have been conducted in the past with the goal to benefit minority groups based on such ideology (Body-Gendrot, p2004, g157). One could strongly propose that such argument lacks consistency and does not bring seriousness to the work published here and, most importantly, one could argue that such theory only inforces more division within social groups and society as a whole.
It is important to highlight that explaining the meaning of race is a delicate and problematic matter as in general, it tends to produce more discord than agreement. One could challenge the existence of the term race in the first place meaning thereby that the issue lies at the core of the word itself. Moreover, if race exists, so does all the divisions and hierarchy classifications formed as a consequence of its creation. However, perhaps looking back at the beginning of the creation of the term one could explain or begin to understand the current scenario and social discords among our society. It is perhaps fair, to say the least, that race was created in order to divide individuals and justify the creation of slavery during colonial periods when Europeans initiated the slavery trafficking from various parts of Africa. The belief that there were superior and inferior races among human beings was unquestionably one of the most lucrative tools during the imperial era. However, such atrocity has produced consequences which drastically shaped our society.
'Racial categorization of some labourers was also functional during the imperialism that emerged in the nineteenth and twentieth countries. Today, racial hate and prejudice, similarly continue to keep people divided along a socially constructed line, called race (Jenness, 2001, pg304)'.
Similar atrocities took place in Australia with the Aborigine community and the Americas with Native Americans from both the north and south during colonial periods. These actions only added more complexity to the term race and the creation of the term racism. Categorizing human beings primarily to justify genocides for profit surely would have had a tremendously long consequence in our societies, one could argue that a large part of this issue which dysfunctional our society is directly related to this racial categorization. On the contrary, sociologists and scholars in more recent years have worked intensively in order to argue that ethnic and race are a cultural factor related to social preferences and social identity, therefore, changeable, constantly reshaping and most importantly, far from primordial (Van den Berghe, 1978, pg 401).
In order to understand what approach to take while analysing race, accepting for the sake of this essay that such terminology exists, one must accept the belief of racial hierarchy between groups. Although this essay has no interest in biological theories regarding race, more recent theories about racism focused on social groups rather than skin colour. A person can express different attitudes towards different individuals based on culture and or social class (Augustinos and Reynolds, 2001). However, such structure and set of rules where race, nation, identity and ethnicity are not clearly defined due to its own complexity generates confusion and truly misleads society who in general are not able to understand the definition of those terminologies. Moreover, it is important to highlight that different groups within our society are not completely isolated from each other, quite the opposite, their existence is rather related one to another. Despite this relation among social groups, it is crucial to acknowledge that there is a clear racial hierarchy among societies across the globe, such theory also supports the notion of social and racial inequality (Song, 2003, pg120).
Furthermore, one could conclude that in order to fairly discuss race, a person’s culture, religion and ethnicity should not be ignored. Although, ethnicity might be considered closely related to race, as it is understood to share common descendants from an area or nation ‘ Ethnicity refers to the differentiation of groups of people who have shared cultural meanings, memories and descent, produced through social interaction (Law, 2010, pg77)’. Culture as a whole is rather more complicated, different experiences and events play a rather important role when culture is defined, however also a component of race as a subject of definition. For instance, an individual can share similar ethnicity from one to another based on the individual’s nation or place of birth. However still not be culturally related. In addition to that, religion plays a very important role in this analysis as it is closely related to culture. The individual's culture group is globally represented by his or her faith, not necessarily connected with his or her nation or place of birth (Fenton, 2010, pg20-21).
It is important to highlight that all the factors mentioned in the previous paragraph are related to race, as one could argue that race is closely related to identity. Identity, therefore, it is formed throughout events and experiences in a person's life. Multiculturalism may influence the formation of an individual's identity hence constantly changing. However, it is fair to say that the majority of studies related to race mainly focus on a person’s past and origin, ignoring a crucial aspect which is the present events forming the person’s identity and sense of belonging (Song, 2013, pg17). Such analysis is extremely important due to the interaction between minority groups, especially in multicultural societies such as the USA. Ethnic identity and race should be treated freely and open to changes and negotiation due to its constant reformation.
'The growth of multiracial people and relationships, which challenges the legitimacy of existing ethnic and racial categories, points to the complexity and blurring of the putatively neat boundaries which are believed to separate groups (Song, 2003, pg143)'.
One could argue that race is a socially constructed ideology created to favour those who created the terminology in the first place. The ideology of race has the objective to propagate the belief of one superior class among society and justify the separation of individuals. This, therefore, causes social inequality and social hierarchy and those at the bottom, which may perhaps create a riot mentality as perhaps the only way to manage to make their voices heard (Body-Gendrot, 2004, pg150-151). In contrast, neglecting the existence of race would not be beneficial either, or perhaps even more damaging to the society. Division and inequality worsen with the assumption that race refers to a biological factor when one group is superior to another, such theory has been discarded by sociologists due to its lack of plausive argument and due to its clear negative consequences. One could argue that there is no simple or peaceful way to discuss or find a common ground when the subject is ‘race’ as the term itself is rather problematic. Perhaps society would benefit by taking an inclusive approach to different groups, learn from one to another rather than classify and labelled those who might not present a similar appearance.
'We consider that a multi-racial society such as ours would in fact function most effectively and harmoniously on the basis of pluralism which enables, expects and encourages members of all ethnic groups, both minority and majority, to participate fully in shaping the society as a whole within a framework of commonly accepted values, practices and procedures, whilst also allowing and, where necessary, assisting the ethnic minority communities in maintaining their distinct ethnic identities within this framework (Swann, 1983, pg5)'.
Although such quotation from Lord Swann can be interpreted as utopistic and romantic, one could argue that such approach is sensible and needed in order to understand each other and more harmoniously live together.
Reference:
Augoustinos, M. and Reynolds, K.J. (2001). Prejudice, racism, and social psychology. In: Augoustinos, M. and Reynolds, K.J. (eds.) Understanding prejudice, racism, and social conflict. London: Sage, 1-23.
Body-Gendrot, S. (2004). Race, a word too much?. In: Bulmer, M. and Solomos, J. (eds.) Researching race and racism. London: Routledge.
Fenton, E. (2010). Ethnicity, 2nd ed. Cambridge: Polity.
Jenness, D. (2001). Origins of the myth of race. In: Cashmore, E. and Jennings, J. (eds.) Racism essential readings. London: Sage
Law, I. (2010). Racism and ethnicity, global debates, dilemmas, directions. Harlow: Pearson.
Song, M. (2003). Choosing ethnic identity. Cambridge: Polity.
Swann, M. (1983). Education for all, the report of the committee of inquiry into the education of children from ethnic minority groups. London: HMSO.
Van den Berghe, P. (1978). Race and ethnicity. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 1 (4), 401-411.