Revision: Who's that Girl?

Marie A. Predestin

Instructor: Dr. R. L’Heureux Lewis-Mccoy

SOC 253000

     

(Photo: Leigh Prather/Shutterstock)

 

       There are different perceptions of race that presents a complex definition within itself. 

 However, Sociologists have proven that race is a form of social construction; it is not based

 on biological aspects. In the documentary, Race: The Power of Illusion, Episode 1, Pilar 

Ossorio states, “There’s as much or more diversity and genetic difference within any racial

 group as there is between people of different racial groups.” This assertion explains how

society constructs its ideal perception of race, and creates a division between ethnic and 

dominant groups. This writing composition will interpret Ossorio’s concept of race in two 

different readings and discuss my impression of racial identity.


            The term, “race” is controversial and misinterpreted. The film, Race: The Power of 
 
Illusion, Episode 1, discusses how genetic difference is the foundation of race. However,

Ossorio argues that genetic marker does not indicate the formation of race. Race is culturally 

and socially constructed. If a single racial group faces more barriers within its own community

than other racial groups, then this notion agrees that race is a form of social categorization.

Race contributes to how people behave and live their lives daily. It determines how one

interacts with other people. Moreover, Ossorio’s statement is displayed in the reading,  

Why Your Race Isn’t Genetic, written by Michael White. The author explains that the 

physical characteristics such as hair texture, facial features, culture or other traits are 

evidence of genetic difference. Based on genetic variation, researchers are able to 

locate the geographical origin of an individual. However, genetic difference does not 

define race.  The article states, “…if you asked that conference of geneticists to give 

you a genetic definition of race, they wouldn’t be able to do it. Human races are not 

natural genetic groups; they are socially constructed categories.” Race greatly 

resembles the imprint of culture and society. Therefore, it denotes the idea that race 

is biologically based. 

          In addition, in the documentary, Ossorio implies that race is the tool throughout

 history to separate ethnic groups. The author expresses, “There’s as much or more diversity

and genetic difference within any racial group…” This assertion is displayed in the article,  

The Persistent Problem of Colorism: Skin Tone, Status, and Inequality, written by 

Margaret Hunter. The author interprets race as a social construction; and further expresses 

that society’s perception of race creates oppression for the minority groups. Racial identity 

constructs the culture and physical traits of ethnic groups to assimilate to white culture. This

reading observes three racial groups: African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans.

These findings discover a racial separation between lighter-skinned individuals of color and 

darker-skinned counterparts.  (Hunter, 2007).  This notion is also displayed in Eduardo 

Bonilla-Silva’s article, From Bi-Racial to Tri-Racial. The reading suggests that the creation 

of racial identity interweaves with pigmentocracy. He explains that the new racial system is 

divided into three components; Whites, Honorary Whites and Collective Blacks.  Race 

creates a division between ethnic and dominant groups.

        Furthermore, I have asserted Ossorio’s concept of race into two different readings. I do

agree with Ossorio’s statement that race is socially constructed. I comprehend that genetic 

variation does not solely define race, and race creates oppression for the minority groups.

However, I do not know how to respond to the following question: what is your racial

identity? There are so many different definitions and conceptions to racial identity. Honestly,

it can lead one to a state of confusion. Moreover, I can verify that race is what YOU identify

with. So, I am a Haitian-American woman with African and Indian ancestries. It’s unfortunate

that I don’t have any knowledge of my African and Indian backgrounds due to the

overpowering teachings of the Haitian culture. Also, my family does not have any prior

information to my African and Indian ancestries. Nonetheless, I have fully acknowledged 

these racial backgrounds.

Works Cited

Bonilla-Silva, E. (2006). From Bi-racial to Tri-racial: Towards a New System of Racial 

Stratification in the USA. Retrieved October 2016, from TandFonline: 

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0141987042000268530?journalCode=rers20

Hunter, M. (2007, June). The Persistent Problem of Colorism: 

Skin Tone, Status, and Inequality. Retrieved September 2016, from Wiley Online Library: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1751-9020.2007.00006.x/full

Newsreel, C. (n.d.). RACE: The Power Of An Illusion - Episode 1: 

The Difference Between Us (PBS Documentary) . Retrieved October 2016, 

from Youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7_YHur3G9g

White, M. (2014, May). Why Your Race Isn’t Genetic. Retrieved September 2016, 

from Pacific Standard: https://psmag.com/why-your-race-isn-t-genetic-559908897f93#.3hu5cbnua