Race as Social Construction - Term Paper Example

race as social construction (Student Name) (Course No.) (Lecturer) (University) (Date) The development of the core social concepts and cultural orientation remains as one of the most contentious topics in the modern world. Several scholars engage in such a debate with a view of attempting to adduce their contextual and pragmatic meanings. This paper focuses on three of such concepts which continue to attract varied interpretations and scholarly arguments. The three concepts include gender, sexuality, and race. Some of the primary arguments about these aspects concentrate on their meanings, existence, relationship and perception. Furthermore, the historical background of gender, sexuality and race remains as one of the most significant information discussed by several scholars. This paper intends to build on the perspectives postulated by some of the renowned scholars who brought significant insight on these three aspects of culture and social orientation. The primary thesis statement of this essay focuses on the fact that sexuality, gender, and race exist as a result of discourses and discursive practices. The discourses as well as the discursive practices, however, continue to vary on the basis of historical, geographical and cultural premises (Hall 2001). This paper seeks to build on the argument fronted by Stuart Hall, which argues that race stands out as a social construction which seeks to promote unequal relations of power and position. Also, several other theories postulated by earlier scholars form the basis of this essay (Mansfield 2000). One of the significant goals of this essay remains as the need to prove that race, gender and sexuality exist as a result of discourses and have no premise on the scientific or biological category. The concept of physical manifestation of race equally forms the focus of this paper. In addition, the focus of the paper extends towards incorporating cultural understanding and practices to evaluate the meaning and essence of the concepts mentioned earlier (Borowski 2004). Race as a set of learned practices Race remains as one of the most contentious aspects defining humanity. It represents the origin of an individual in terms of the color, language and background. However, the definition given to thus aspect depends on the perspective drawn from the ideological perception of an individual (Mansfield 2000). Historical information regarding racism provides a relatively varied and different approach given by early scholars. Many people define racism as a biological aftermath which comes into existence when a person gets born in a different biological region (Smedley and Smedley 2005). This argument provides that the geographical location in which a person comes from and lives define his or her race. Therefore, the proponents contend that a person’s race exists in relation to the geographical category. For example, such proponents argue that the Asians refer to people originating from Asia. The proposition held by the biological theorists rest on the pillars of science and the significance of biology. The place of birth, color, ethnicity, language and geographical location dictate the race of an individual. The scientific processes, as well as biological outcomes, define the race preferred upon a person (Borowski 2004). However, such a proposition meets a sharp criticism and contracts from the other side of the divide which perceives race as a product of social construct and debate. The opponents to the biological perspectives argue that race results from a set of perceived and learned practices within the society. One of the reasons provided by this perspective relies on the fact that people develop varied ideas and social perspectives regarding racism. Stuart Hall stands out as one of the scholars that cultural, Diaspora and ideological perspectives on racism remains as a standing literature pillar. One of the pillars attributed to this school of thought remains as the association between race and a collection of thoughts and leaned social practices. The relationship and association among people on a daily basis leads to the generation of social perspectives and learned ideologies within the society. Race, therefore, stands out as a perfect example of leaned social and cultural aspects due to the constant association and interactions within the society. Race, therefore, denotes the cultural or social result from a continuous interactive and social learning process. The manner in which people engage and relate with one another determines the manner of their understanding and perception. In many cases, individuals tend to group themselves in terms of social agreements. The results of such groupings or acknowledgment lead to the common perception referred to as racism. This paper, therefore, affirms the meaning and definition of racism as a product of learned cultural and social practices with no dependence on biological or social factors. In fact, the race just exists as an idea and not a proven fact. The fact that people differ on the grounds of geographical origin, color or ethnicity remains as a no substantial reason to show any differences. Humanity originates from one source and therefore such biological and geographical differences fail the test in promoting the meaning of race (Smedley and Smedley 2005). The binding factor goes past the geographical or scientific differences and includes people as of a similar origin of humanity. Therefore, the proponents of race as a biological process aim at achieving some form of power or social position imbalance which differentiates individuals on the prominence of the race. Race and Representation Racial differences usually play out in several social, economic and political aspects of the modern society. In many cases, people from different races show variations regarding their cultural and social interactions. For example, the advertisement scenes usually integrate the aspect of cultural and racial differences to pass information. Some advertisement or drama concerns the whites while others concern the black. Such differences ion racial backgrounds, therefore, dictate the level of physical representations and cultural platforms exhibited in our modern society (Hall 2001). Race and power History reveals that the aspects of race and power formed a central focus in the earlier years. The process of modernization and civilization countered several occasions in which dominance, power, and leadership rested on the racial background of a person. Some races, therefore, regarded themselves quite superior to others. On the other hand, other individuals suffered mistreatment and segregation due to the aspect of the race. The proponents of race as a biological and geographical offspring perpetuated dominance in the hands of a section of the society deemed to be coming from superior races (Miller 1990). For example, the whites dominated the blacks believed to be originating from primitive and uncivilized racial background. Colonialism and dominance took the better position of the society during such periods. One reality which comes out among the proponents of race regards the need to achieve unequal relations of power among people. The definitions inclined to the fact that people from different geographical and biological processes seek to position dome people as of greater superiority than others. This context played many roles in the earlier historical periods and continued to dominate sections of the world. For example, the Indian culture exemplifies a more radical culture dominated by racial dominance. This paper, therefore, attributes the aspect of race as a mere social construct at achieving power and social dominance. There exists little relevance of geographical and biological differences on the definition of race (Miller 1990). Race in relation to physical differences and power Race remains as one of the social constructions which becomes manifested through physical attributes. The differences in the physical attributes of people position their capabilities of power on a varied scale. In many cases, the whites consider their racial capacity as of a superior priority compared to the blacks. Studies show that the whites wield alot of power and social position as compared to the blacks simply because of their physical attributes. The manifestation of this racial variation continue to play out in the modernsociety. A closer study at the modern urban set ups exhibit a typical scenario in which several whites position themselves on greater positions of power, jobs and responsibilities as compared to the blacks. Many white collar jobs remain as a preserve for the whites while many blacks continue to remain under subordinations (Smedley and Smedley 2005). Therefore, race and its physical differences determine the position of power and individual capabilities Relevant Discourses and Discursive practices The study of race rests on a number of discourses and approaches advanced both by the earlier scholars as well as the modern thinkers. The rich knowledge available on this subject matter makes it a more meaningful research area in literary work. The general argument within this essay argues that race exists out of the discourses and discursive practices (Hall 2001). Such practices usually shape the thinking, approaches and the ideologies of the society. Therefore, the advancement of social construct depends on the manner of ideological dependencies formed out of the sets of cultural practices and discourses. The discourses depend on the perspectives and approaches noted by other researchers that shape the understanding of the meaning of race (Borowski 2004). One aspect which shapes the discursive approaches by the scholars regards the aspect of subjectivity. The discussion falls into two broad categories which include those that define the nature of structure and those which argue that any definition of subjectivity denote power and culture (Rizvi 2015). The former approach stems from the work of Freud, psychoanalysis and Jacques as the latter originates from Friedrich Nietzsche and Michel Foucault. These models define the aspect of race and subjectivity as the result of power and social construct. Michael Foucault stands out as influential social constructs that associated subjectivity and power. One of the contributions of this scholar regards the aspect of self-image in view of subjectivity. The declaration of self- independence and individuality undermines the aspect of power. Social construct perspective promoted by Michael argues that power comes first before anything else. Any individual characteristics and anything defining individuality do exist after power (Mansfield 2000). Therefore, the scholar argues that that the rejection of power denotes the antagonist approach of an individual. Power comes on the way and results from the creation of man. Therefore, every person requires the recognition and the freedom to take up power before recognizing anything. Subjectivity, therefore, exists among those who ignore the opportunity to seize power. This belief and knowledge promote the recognition of race as a social construct which results from the knowledge and activities within a society (Hall 2001). The relevance of power, equally, shapes up the knowledge regarding the definition of race. One of the significant aspects of the contributions of Michael Foucault regards the close association which exists between knowledge and power. In fact, the scholar collapses these two aspects into one meaning. The existence of the subject depends on knowledge and power. Therefore, natural occurrence and free will do not form the basis upon which the subjects exist (Borowski 2004). The perspective and approach provided by the scholar tend to bring a close correspondence between the existence of knowledge and power. The kind of power within the society establishes the meaning and practices existing within such a society. However, knowledge and information prevailing within the society determine the kind of subjects within the social set up. Social construct provides for space within which people articulate power and knowledge. The teachings and information existing within the society dictate the manner of association and perception of the society. For example, the existence of prisons helps dictate the manner of behavior expectations within the social set up. Criminals usually form the subjects of such corrective centers (Rizvi 2015). The goal of prisons, therefore, seeks to reduce and eliminate the possible occurrence of such criminal activities. A great step exists within the need to modify the social expectations of the society members. Therefore, the knowledge of the repercussion of the criminal events and practices dictate the level of the power asserted by the prisons. In the same manner, the existence of power dictates the emergence and extent of social subjects within a society (Miller 1990). The definition of race as a tool of seeking social injustices and social positions, therefore, occur as a result of power derived from such a process. Discursive practices, similarly, forms a central point in defining race. Usually, the arguments and approaches by the scholars prove a basis upon which the society members peg their practices. The ideological orientations and theories advance the manner of operations and behavior patterns witnessed in a typical social set up (Hall 2001). The practices, therefore, provide a practical means for implementing the knowledge generated from a set of practices and beliefs. For example, the use of power to bring social differences stem from the approach advanced on the relevance of power and social breakdown. The analysis presented by Michael presents a unique manner which associates knowledge and power. The discursive practices in a society which believe on the propositions advanced by this school, therefore, operate in the line of the arguments. This paper asserts that race and racism only exist as a result of the discourse and discursive approached developed more so by the previous scholars. The general approaches and knowledge within the society determine the perception of race and racism as a subject. Therefore, the social construct provides room for the development of knowledge and ideologies regarding the meaning and definition of race (Rizvi 2015). Studies reveal that the scholars tend to form an enormous wave which usually influences such ideologies and approaches. Whiteness The racial difference separates people on two major grounds; the whites and the blacks. History positioned the whites as a superior race as compared to the blacks. The level of knowledge, inventions, civilizations and sophistication attributed to the whites surpassed that of the blacks. Therefore, the society wielded much power, authority and recognition to the whites as compared to the blacks. One of the advantages attributed to the whites concerned their placement on the scale of power within the society. Many whites dominated the high positions of power and were deemed as of better capacity than the blacks. Such differences led to a wide gap between these two racial classes (Rizvi 2015). The standpoint of the whites continues to remain dominant as compared to the black. Despite the current order of civilization and education attempting to break the blocks of differences, such varied manifestations continue to exist. In fact, the eastern and western cultures define many occupations, roles and positions as preserves of the whites. Therefore, race remains a considerable social factor in the past and current society and its relevance in power, control and leadership capacities. Sexuality and gender Sexuality and gender also form examples of some of the social concerns which shape up the arguments of scholars today. These two aspects define the orientation of a person in terms of sex. The gender classification usually forms the male and female definitions of individuals. Sexuality, similarly, defines the abilities of a person within the defines of such gender classifications (Frankenberg 1988). In many cases, the perception of these two aspects depends on the ideological orientations of the members of the society. The kind of approach given to such gender abilities, capabilities and even treatment centers on the kind of set rules and available information within the social set up. Social construct, therefore, provides room for people to derive and implement their opinions and ideologies. For examples, some societies vie women as weaker and incapacitated. This perception stems from the kind of knowledge and approach they possess towards women (Frankenberg 1988). This paper argues that such knowledge or approaches exist purely as outcomes of the social definitions given by different people. The biological or the geographical differences play little role in defining the views ad approaches in terms of gender and sexuality. The set of learnt information and knowledge determine how the society view sexuality and gender among its members (Mansfield 2000). Conclusion The aspects of race, gender and sexuality remain as some of the hotly contested social aspects of the modern societies. Several theories exist which attempt to describe their origin and rightful contextual meaning. This paper focused on the fact that the social aspects originate out of a social construct process rather than biological or scientific meaning. The scholars and various approaches used to define the meaning of the social aspects rests on the grounds of culture and society. Knowledge and power form a further crucial area in evaluating the social aspects. Usually, the interactions of power and knowledge within a social set up lead to the creation of subjects. Subjects exist out of such a social process. Likewise, this paper asserts that those describing race, sexuality and gender as a social construct borrow from such an analogy of power and knowledge. References Borowski, A., 2004. Racism: A Short History. Australian Social Work, 57(2), pp.199-201. Frankenberg, R. 1988. White women, race matters: The social construction of whiteness. Hall, S., 2001. The spectacle of the other. Discourse theory and practice: A reader, pp.324-344. Mansfield, N. 2000. Subjectivity: Theories of the self from Freud to Haraway. New York: New York University Press. Miller, S., 1990. Foucault on discourse and power. Theoria: A Journal of Social and Political Theory, (76), pp.115-125. Rizvi, F., 2015. Stuart Hall on racism and the importance of diasporic thinking. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 36(2), pp.264-274. Smedley, A. and Smedley, B.D., 2005. Race as biology is fiction, racism as a social problem is real: Anthropological and historical perspectives on the social construction of race. American Psychologist, 60(1), p.16. Read More