Is race a social construct?

Question

Is race a social construct? What are the arguments for and against race being a social construct? What historical factors influenced the idea of race as a social construct?

Sources

1. https://www.aporiamagazine.com/p/the-case-for-race-realism
2. https://thewikle.com/images/b/bd/AI_recognition_of_patient_race_in_medical_imaging_%282022%29.pdf
3. Discourse on Race Has a Conformity Problem
4. https://thewikle.com/images/5/5e/Changing_the_concept_of_race_-_On_UNESCO_and_cultural_internationalism_%282020%29.pdf
5. https://www.unz.com/isteve/david-reich-how-to-talk-about-race-and-genetics/
6. https://scijust.ucsc.edu/2019/05/30/developing-debate-on-race-and-genomics/
7. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/02/opinion/genes-race.html
8. https://quillette.com/2017/06/11/no-voice-vox-sense-nonsense-discussing-iq-race/
9. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10539-009-9193-7

Answer from Wikle

Yes, there is a broad consensus among scholars that race is a social construct (1). The concept of race is not based on clear-cut biological differences. Instead, it is a socially constructed idea that categorizes people into groups based on physical characteristics, ancestry, historical affiliation, or shared culture (4).

The arguments for race as a social construct assert that there are no clear and consistent genetic differences that define racial groups. While there are genetic variations among different populations, the boundaries of these variations do not align neatly with racial classifications. Moreover, genetic diversity within racial groups often exceeds diversity between different racial groups (5, 7). This suggests that racial categories are not a reflection of underlying genetic realities but are instead socially and historically constructed.

The arguments against race being a social construct often rest on the belief that there are significant biological differences among racial groups. Proponents of this view argue that modern genetic research has identified clusters of genetic variations that correspond to racial classifications, suggesting a biological basis for race (1, 8). However, this view is challenged by the fact that genetic variations are continuous and gradient, rather than clustered into distinct groups (7).

Historically, the idea of race as a social construct has been influenced by various factors. The concept of race emerged in the context of European colonialism and the Atlantic slave trade, where it was used to justify and naturalize social inequalities. In the mid-20th century, the UNESCO Statements on Race played a significant role in promoting the view of race as a social construct. These statements, produced by a group of leading scientists and intellectuals, declared that race is a social myth rather than a biological fact (4).

Public discourse on the subject is often fraught with tensions and disagreements. Conversations around race have been described as having a conformity problem, where dissenting opinions are often sidelined or silenced (3). This can hinder open and honest discussions about the nature and implications of race.

1. [1] 2. [2] 3. Discourse on Race Has a Conformity Problem 4. [3] 5. [4] 6. [5] 7. [6] 8. [7]