Race

5 Pages 1372 Words

Race Today

Whether one believes it or not, they are bound by the ties of race. Biological and social interactions are the two undermining factors of our place in society. We must “define race according to its social history” and these social factors in turn, form the boundaries that we have been calling race. Race being continuous and dynamic in nature, helps determine different cultures and classifications in America. Race is not a thing but rather a cultural context within groups, that reflect ones being or perhaps who they are in society. The way we make decisions in our life reflect our upbringing as well as the environment we reside. Racial classifications are communally and politically determined, but race by way of racism is a determinant of social class, economic status and health outcomes. Race had to be formed by someone who created different classifications. “How do you make the point that it is real but doesn't exist (Harold P. Freeman )?” Indeed, we are socially constructed but I feel that there are biological attractions - an involuntarily force that brings people together which determines their race. For example, does the involuntary love expressed between two people stem from historical interactions or our social groups or perhaps from a feeling that unconsciously brings the two together?

I would like to explain assimilation and how two examples show assimilation resulting in positive and negative outcomes. No matter how “race” is present, there’s no choice but to assimilate or to resist assimilation relative to a social environment or group. Assimilating to particular environments can be defined by the borrowing of an idea, style or perhaps the borrowing of that idea and eventually becoming part of that particular idea - because one is continuously exposed they have more tendency to change. Assimilation is the process by which minorities gradually adopt patterns of the dominant culture. Dif...