The Myth of Race
Our white 15-year-old has been raised in a household where we frequently discuss race, racial equity, and racial dynamics. They came home from school last week, energized to talk about what they'd learned: there are no biological differences based on race. Serious. Parenting. Fail. Well...I’m grateful they learned it at school!
Yes, race is a social construct.
Merriam-Webster defines a social construct as an idea created and accepted by the people in a society.
What does race really mean? How static or flexible is it? Why was it defined? Who benefitted? What impact does it have?
You might be surprised.
This video is a succinct, data-packed resource.
While hierarchy based on race was constructed socially, dispirate outcomes by race are evident in every social system including health, education, and criminal justice. It has no biological basis, yet is a social determinant of health and life outcomes.
Jenée Desmond-Harris provides us with 11 ways race isn’t real. Although a person’s race results in vastly different lived experiences, 2023 is not too late to learn. Here are a couple of examples from their article:
Americans embraced the idea of race to make slavery feel okay.
The way we legally define different races in America can change on a whim — and it has.
You can’t tell by looking at someone what box they check or how they identify. DNA tests can’t measure it [race].
Why do you think legislatures and school boards across the United States are outlawing, banning, and defunding talking about race and racial inequity? How do you acknowledge how your race affects your life, relationships, and organizations?
Share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out via email: deannar@designgroupintl.com to connect.
Fellow leaders and learners, I wish you courage and resilience for the journey.
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