Mandy Tran

Maya Silver

Writing 2010

March 11, 2017

Labeling Races

Introduction

Identifying someone's race is placing a label onto them. We never stop to think if labeling

ones race could become harmful but based on assumptions, we categorize people without

knowledge of their background. This directs people to place stereotypes onto those individuals

and once those individuals do not fit those descriptions, it can cause harm. This notion of not

fitting into the description is based on the standard and norms that society has created. It is seen

that the norm is a white, heterosexual, male but setting a standard only causes harm. Race can be

offensive to some individuals because race is created through social and historical processes.

Throughout history, people have been labeled by the dominant group, forcing them into

categories that they might not identify with. This is the basis for social constructivism, which

argues that race is created by dominant groups rather than being genetic. Categorizing people by

race creates advantages for those who are privileged in society and disadvantages others.

In 1758, Carolus Linneaus created a classification system for humans that Thomas

Jefferson adopted. He decided that whites were superior over blacks but as the years go on, we

redefine and create different races (The Story of Race Transcript 1). Creating a system, we

categorize by race which leads to the racial classification. The racial classification was created

by Johann Blumenbach in the eighteenth century. He categorized Russian caucasians at the top
because he believed they were the most beautiful and sophisticated people and any others who

were darker skinned are placed at the bottom (Andersen & Collins 58). This was the start to

where the color of ones skin tone mattered and defined status. In the 1860s, the only races that

existed were white, black, and mulattoes. Thirty years later, quadroon, octoroon, Chinese,

Japanese, and Indian were added to the list of races. A decade later, the list was shortened to

white, black, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian. It was not until the 2000s when Hispanic became an

option (Andersen & Collins 58-59). As the years go on, there is more ethnic and racial diversity,

creating more options for self identifications. Throughout generations, decades, and a few years,

racial classification is new and ever changing creating more options for self-identifications.

Classifying someone into a racial category can be determined through physical

appearances or biology but this can cause harm. Becoming socially constructed by the dominant

group, we are labeled as a certain race because of the physical features that are common within a

population. Through the biological lense, race can become a tool of harm. The belief that there's

a genetic makeup that distinguishes people from others can cause misinterpretations and

physically divide ourselves and the people around us. The dominant group has the privilege to

define and put people into certain categories whether it be race, class, gender, sexuality, and

ethnicity. This category that we are forced into can cause harm by hurting our identity.

The Social Construct of Race

Social constructivism of race argues that certain characteristics and identities are created

through the results of social and historical processes. Race, class, ethnicity, and sexuality are

socially constructed because they are intertwined with our experiences and identities (Andersen

& Collins 52). In spite of these statements and claims, studies show these characteristics can be
biologically proven to differentiate ourselves from others. Using race, class, ethnicity, and

sexuality as labels to identify those who are different and those who are similar, it can result in

harm.

A race gene is a theory where each race has a specific gene found in individuals of a

certain race. Race is more socially constructed than biologically constructed because scientist has

not found a race gene. (Andersen & Collins 57) In Race is a Social Construct, Scientists

Argue, Gannon quotes there is no single variant where all Africans have one variant and all

Europeans have another (1). Although there is no race gene, we cannot totally disregard race

because it is real in society and affects how we see others and how others see ourselves (Lusca,

1).

Race is considered as subspecies, through genetics and morphological differences, it

cannot be applied to humans says Machery and Faucher. (1208-1209) They state this because

race can overlap within each group, intertwined with many factors that make us all the same

human species. As Sesardic quoted from another author, they state that there are three grades of

modal involvement, meaning there are three ways race is biological, 1) Race implies there is a

common ancestry so individuals can be genetically similar. 2) Different races will differ in

morphological characteristics (skin, hair, facial features, etc.) 3) Races can differ by

psychological characteristics. (144) Sesardic also quotes, ...there are heritable characteristics,

possessed by members of our species, that allow us to divide human beings into a small set of

races, in such a way that all the members of these races share certain traits and tendencies with

each other that they do not share with members of any other race (Sesardic 146). As explained

by Sesardic, ...all members of group A would have to share certain characteristic F, and that
characteristic F would also have to be absent in all members of group B. (Sesardic 146) This

proves there can be a biological basis for race.

People believe race is socially constructed because there are no known genes that

differentiate us from others, but there are differences that are found in some people and not

others. Sesardic says, Dobzhansky states, when we define race, it delimit races as exact, non

overlapping, and discrete entities. Meaning, races will not exist because we would have distinct

species instead. (147) Gannon also agrees with this statement because there is not a single

absolute genetic difference meaning when we determine a race, we cannot just look at one

characteristic, we have to look at multiple characteristics (1). As the authors concluded, race is

complicated to define and explain.

The Standard

Whether race is socially or biologically constructed, we cannot deny that society depends

on categorizing by race. The categorization of race can benefit a group of people more than the

other because of the standard that society has created. The standard is set as a white,

heterosexual, male. White is seen as normal because it is considered as raceless, being

heterosexual is normal because all others is a sin, and being male is normal because we base

things on a male experiences (Collins 213). Those who fit the standard description benefits the

most in society. Throughout time, the normal has been made up of labels and these labels

distance others from them (Torres 50).

Having a standard causes more harm than good because it marginalizes those who does

not fit into those descriptions. When not fitting into the standard, we are seen as an other because

the standard does not make room for those who are different. This creates social norms that are
part of ones identity (Coston and Kimmel 181). Some may believe having a standard is great

because it creates a baseline for what is expected of others. But this expectations becomes

difficult for others who are set at different platforms, creating more advantages for those who fit

the standard (The Unequal Opportunity Race).

Stereotypes

Having a standard creates stereotypes for others. These stereotypes are labels put onto

people that causes harm; they damage one's identity and beliefs, affecting how we perceive

others and how others perceive ourselves. Creating assumptions, expectations, and

generalizations, we create false hope and labels for those of different racial groups. This

preconception for groups, creates a description that people may not identify with. This leads to

false beliefs of different groups.

Stereotypes are created through generalizations, assumptions, and expectations for

different types of people. They expect a certain characteristic for a particular group because there

is a trend within those groups. For example, Asian Americans are seen as heathen, exotic, and

unassimilable, but they are also considered as the model minority because they are more

successful than other ethnic groups (Takaki 25). This can still cause harm through the

assumptions and expectations for Asian Americans to become successful; when they are not as

successful they are seen as an outsider or alien. This contradicts the thought process where they

are seen as unassimilated but are considered as the model minority; simultaneously being

stereotyped and considered as an outsider (Andersen & Collins 59).

Placing labels onto others can cause harm because of those who are placed in power.

Those who are in power chooses who to protect (Duran 89). With stereotypes, they create biases
of who can be harmed and who should be protected. Beliefs by certain people in power can have

a high effect on how society perceive others. The police believe Latinos and African Americans

are part of gangs, they choose not to protect them and protect those who are not labeled as Latino

or African American because of the stereotypes placed onto them (Duran 82). Creating

stereotypes of a racial group can cause physical and emotional harm while privileging other

groups.

Privilege: Status

Privilege is a system that is intended to be universal, existing worldwide, and comes in

different forms and contexts (Coston and Kimmel 179). In this society, it is not always the case

how privilege is distributed. Although some has more privilege than others, to some degree there

are still people who are excluded. It is perceived that we need to fit a description and if we do not

fit into those descriptions, we are seen as a lower status.

The different platforms for others, creates different opportunities for certain people.

Those who fit into the standard, has more privilege over another. This privilege creates an

unequal race track, an unequal opportunity (Pinto The Unequal Opportunity Race). Not having

an equal plane field disadvantages those who are marginalized, creating a economic standing.

Andersen and Collins say there are systems of inequality ...that are built into the very

structure of society. These systems create power structures, working to advantage some and

disadvantage others. (51) The article by Jeffers agrees, saying these characteristics are political

and separate people into dominant and subordinate groups. (410) Those who have the privilege

to create these systems of power are the dominant group. They use these characteristics that

people use to identify themselves to unequally distribute power. The article from the National
Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG), says they separate people

through our ancestors through phenotypical characteristics, cultural practices, economic need,

and political affiliation. (1)

Conclusion

Being categorized by the dominant group is an issue, but how we are categorized is an

issue itself. People categorize others through their differences and they usually do this through

origin, skin color, face structure, hair texture, our blood, or any of our physical features.

(NCHPEG 1) Based on skin color and culture people grouped you into a certain race. (Lusca 1)

One way to put people into different groups was to define who is and is not white. In the

article by Jones, they defined white as a person who is Armenian born in Asiatic Turkey and if

they had any trace of other blood, they are excluded. (1) This definition was also used to

differentiate who were and were not a slave. Declaring who is white is to separate those who are

worthy to be represented in the dominant group and to put those who are unworthy in another.

This shows how the systems of inequality works. Categorizing individuals who is believe to fit

the description of white supremacy is an issue with race, because we create groups as a

hierarchy. As the dominant group, they are privileged to define our race and our status. (Lusca 1)

Labeling race is harmful to those who are underprivileged. It becomes harmful because of

the social construct of race, creating a norm that privilege the dominant group. These privileges

creates a hierarchy of power, allowing labels, categories, and stereotypes to be created. Showing

that assumptions can be made based on the racial classification of people, we observe their

effects that not only puts a generalized label onto groups but also damages ones identity.
 The standard creates stereotypes, marginalizing others and privileging another. When a

standard is placed in society, it creates a baseline for what is expected to be normal. Not fitting

into these standards creates a meaning of otherness; this otherness places people into different

statuses. Creating a hierarchy, privileges those who are on top and gives less benefits where it is

needed. This damages other groups, placing them into a lower status in economics, safety, and

society.

Realizing that we all are made up of the same genetics, we can start to be socially

conscious. Becoming aware and conscious can create an environment of understanding and

maybe race will become a way we can identify ourselves without stereotypes, privilege, and

status intertwined.
 Works Cited

Andersen, M. L., & Collins, P. H. Systems of Power and Inequality. Andersen, M. L., &

Collins, P. H. (Eds.), Race, Class & Gender An Anthology. Cengage. 2013, pp. 51-73

Collins, Patricia H.. Prisons for Our Bodies, Closets for Our Minds: Racism, Heterosexism and

Black Sexuality. Andersen, M. L., & Collins, P. H. (Eds.), Race, Class & Gender An

Anthology. Ninth Edition. Cengage Learning. 2013. pp. 211 217.

Coston, Bethany M. and Kimmel, Michael. Seeing Privilege Where It Isnt Andersen, M. L., &

Collins, P. H. (Eds.), Race, Class & Gender An Anthology. Ninth Edition. Cengage

Learning. 2013. Pp. 179-187.

Gannon, Megan. Race is a Social Construct, Scientists Argue. Live Science. 6 February, 2016.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/race-is-a-social-construct-scientists-argue/

Jeffers, C. The Cultural Theory of Race: Yet Another Look at Du Bois's The Conservation of

Races". Ethics, 123(3), 2013, pp. 403-426.

Jones, Brian. The Social Construction of Race. JACOBIN. 2015

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Accessed 15 Feb. 2017

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Machery, Edouard & Faucher, Luc. Social Construction and the Concept of Race. Philosophy

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Gender An Anthology. Cengage. 2013, pp. 22-33

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX_Vzl-r8NY
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Gender An Anthology. Cengage. 2013, pp. 48-50