“RACE” Understanding Human Variation &

Adaptation

RACE1. CULTURAL CONSTRUCTION

No biological basis, although there is often an assumed biological

commonality such as shared genes or “blood”

Race categories change over time and vary from place to place

2. GENETIC EVIDENCE Proves that there are more

differences within so-called “races” than between them

RACE (cont.)3. PHENOTYPE (physical expression

of genes) Many societies define “race” by

phenotype, such as: skin color, hair form, facial features, eye color

But…the lines of distinction are not

clear

The MEANING of the phenotypic features is culturally constructed

Putting Cultural Ideas into PracticePREJUDICE

Devaluing a group because of assumed behavior, values, capabilities, etc.

DISCRIMINATIONPolicies and practices that harm a

group and its membersRACISM

Discrimination against a group assumed to have biological

commonality

Skin Color AdaptationNo 2 people actually have true black, white, red, or yellow skin-- commonly used terms that do not reflect biological reality

• Skin color is due primarily to the presence of a pigment called melanin

• Individuals differ in the number and size of melanin particles. In lighter skin, color is also affected by red cells in blood flowing close to the skin.

• Melanin acts as a protective biological shield against ultraviolet radiation.

• Helps to prevent sunburn damage that could lead to melanoma --a cancer of the skin. Melanoma is a serious threat to life. In the US, approximately 44,200 people get this disease every year, about 7,300 people die from it.

• Those at highest risk are European Americans. They have a 10 times higher risk than African Americans.

Skin Color Adaptation

Genetic Variation• Genetic variation within races is greater than genetic variation between races

• 90% of human genetic variation corresponds to traits within a given race, such as: height, weight, and protein types

•10% of human genetic variation accounts for the identifiable racial phenotypes

Craniometry: a pseudoscience

The unilinear scale of human races & lower relatives (Nott and Gliddon, 1968)

The chimpanzee skull is falsely inflated, & the “Negro” jaw is extended, to give the impression that black people might even rank lower than the apes (Gould, 1977, in “The Racial Economy of Science”)

Apollo

“CreoleNegro”

Chimp

Craniometry: a pseudoscience

“An unsubtle attempt to suggest strong affinity between black people and gorillas. From Nott & Gliddon, 1854. Their caption: ‘The palpable analogies and dissmilitudes between an inferior type of mankind and a superior type of monkey require no comment.’”

(Gould, 1977, in “The Racial Economy of Science”)

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Race

Race is a modern idea.

Race has no genetic basis.

Human subspecies don’t exist.

Skin color is only skin deep.

Most variation is within, not between, “races.”

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Race

Slavery predates race.

Race and freedom evolved together in the US.

Race justified social inequalities as natural.

Race isn’t biological, but racism is real.

Colorblindness will not end racism.

“We’re more alike my friends, than we are unalike” (Maya Angelou)