Race is a social construct that divides people into groups ranked as superior and inferior. It has no scientific or genetic basis, but it still shapes many people’s experiences. Societies use the concept of race to justify systems of privilege, discrimination and oppression. Over centuries, the false notion that white people are inherently smarter and more capable than non-white people helped fuel European colonization and enslavement of Africans. Today, racial bias fuels disparities in health, wealth and opportunity for American families.
Despite the widespread belief that there is no such thing as race, anthropologists and geneticists know that human beings are biologically distinct. However, they also know that the concept of race has a powerful impact on society. The way we think about race determines how we behave and how societies organize themselves, influencing everything from economic policy to the treatment of criminals and civil rights laws.
The distinction between ethnicity and race is important, because it often has more to do with culture than physical features, which are inherited but can also be changed through life choices. For example, a person may adopt a different skin color or accent over time. Nonetheless, the terms are generally used interchangeably in everyday speech and on forms, and many Census Bureau questions ask about both. Most Americans, like those worldwide, identify as both races and ethnicities.
A growing number of scholars, activists and policymakers are challenging the idea that there is a single, fixed biological definition of race. These scholars point to research showing that a person’s DNA can vary widely within a given population and across populations around the world. They further argue that a single gene does not define an individual, but can only determine some of the characteristics we commonly associate with race.
In addition, a growing body of evidence shows that the social concept of race has no measurable, scientific or biological foundation. Some people have called for the elimination of the term, while others have argued that it can be replaced with a more accurate, nuanced description of socioeconomic status or geographic origin.
Those who support the elimination of the term typically focus on the fact that we have already moved past the concept of separate “biological” species and that a clear, agreed-upon set of criteria for distinguishing among people is not feasible or desirable. Others argue that the elimination of the word could have unintended consequences, including a tendency to ignore the enduring effects of racism and other forms of discrimination on the lives of all Americans. It is critical to understand the role of race in the United States, particularly as we move into an increasingly multiracial era. In our next article, we will explore what is being done to help Americans come to terms with the ongoing significance of the concept of race in their lives and the impact of racial bias on their opportunities for success. Our understanding of the complex and interconnected issues surrounding the nature of race in America can help guide policies that will support a more inclusive society.