A Comprehensive Guide to the Social Constructs That Shape Us
Yesterday I had an exchange online with someone in regard to Paris Jackson ‘Identifying as a Black woman’ (that discussion will be had another time) My response on that post was as follows: “She may be culturally Black because she was raised in a Black home but she is racially white and needs to recognize that identity.”
It was at this time an internet ‘scholar’ decided to correct me and say this:
Desireé B Stephens well racially we are all the exact same race. surprise! If you're talking about culture or ethnicity or skin colors of course we are all different .Also of course in the old days when people thought we were all a different race people of color were treated horribly and systemic racism has tortured and traumatized many generations of people of color. But the fact remains we are all the same race the human race. Would love to travel back in time and explain this to slave owners or those who massacured native americans, or hitler and his psychos. Would love all 'racist' p.o.s. to take a 23andme test. So many of us have all kinds of different areas in our ancestors stories. I am sadly pale but even i have African dna. I study social science and this is one thing that really bothers me that everyone uses skin color culture or ethnicity to denote race when we're all the same race. The government needs to change its wording on the forms when it asks " what is your race? " Because our race is human. It should change it to ethnicity or something else. I don't know what exactly but there you go.
So I decided to do what I do best and educate. Though the conversation did not end there and she continued to double down on her ignorance I am only going to share this first statement and provide a breakdown with reasons and corrections. I may turn the entire interaction into a learning guide but for now, let’s begin here.
Original Statement: "well racially we are all the exact same race. surprise! If you're talking about culture or ethnicity or skin colors of course we are all different."
Correction: Starting with "well" is dismissive and condescending. The claim that "racially we are all the exact same race" oversimplifies the complex and real social constructs of race and their impact. It minimizes the experiences of those who face racial discrimination. A better approach would be to acknowledge the shared humanity while recognizing the systemic inequalities that arise from racial constructs.
Reason: The original statement trivializes the complex issue of race by using a flippant tone with "surprise!" This minimizes the experiences of those who face racism. It also suggests a superficial acknowledgment of differences without recognizing the deep impact these differences have on people's lives.
Original Statement: "Also of course in the old days when people thought we were all a different race people of color were treated horribly and systemic racism has tortured and traumatized many generations of people of color."
Correction: Saying "of course in the old days" downplays the ongoing nature of systemic racism. Systemic racism continues to affect Black people and people of color today, not just in the past. The language "people of color were treated horribly" is vague and does not capture the severity and specificity of the violence and oppression faced, especially by Black Americans, then and today. It would be more accurate to state: "Systemic racism has and continues to torture and traumatize generations of Black Americans and other people of color."
Reason: The original statement minimizes the ongoing impact of systemic racism by framing it as a past issue and using the phrase "the old days."
Original Statement: "But the fact remains we are all the same race the human race."
Correction: This statement erases the lived experiences and ongoing struggles of those who are affected by racial discrimination. While biologically humans are one species, race as a social construct has real and harmful consequences.
Reason: The original statement dismisses the real and ongoing impacts of racism by oversimplifying the issue.
Original Statement: "Would love to travel back in time and explain this to slave owners or those who massacured native americans, or hitler and his psychos."
Correction: This trivializes historical atrocities and implies that explaining the biological concept of race would have prevented these events, which ignores the deep-rooted ideologies and systemic power structures that drove these atrocities.
Reason: The original statement is flippant and disrespectful, trivializing the immense suffering caused by these atrocities.
Original Statement: "Would love all 'racist' p.o.s. to take a 23andme test."
Correction: Using quotes around "racist" and the term "p.o.s." is disrespectful and does not contribute to a constructive dialogue. It trivializes the seriousness of racism and reduces it to a matter of individual ignorance rather than systemic issues.
Reason: The original statement uses derogatory language and implies that a DNA test alone can resolve deeply ingrained racist ideologies.
Original Statement: "So many of us have all kinds of different areas in our ancestors stories. I am sadly pale but even i have African dna."
Correction: Saying "I am sadly pale" reflects internalized shame and self-deprecation and implies that having pale skin is something to be sad about, which ironically reinforces white supremacy and the patriarchy by playing small. Mentioning having African DNA in this context seems like an attempt to distance oneself from complicity in systemic racism, which can come across as dismissive of the real issues.
Reason: The original statement implies that having pale skin is unfortunate and reduces African heritage to a mere genetic fact rather than a lived experience.
Original Statement: "I study social science and this is one thing that really bothers me that everyone uses skin color culture or ethnicity to denote race when we're all the same race."
Correction: Claiming expertise ("I study social science") while dismissing the significance of skin color, culture, and ethnicity in the context of race undermines the complexities and lived realities of those affected by racial discrimination. It would be more effective to recognize how these factors are used to perpetuate inequality.
Reason: The original statement dismisses the significance of race, culture, and ethnicity in shaping lived experiences.
Original Statement: "The government needs to change its wording on the forms when it asks 'what is your race?' Because our race is human. It should change it to ethnicity or something else. I don't know what exactly but there you go."
Correction: While the intent to challenge outdated terminology is valid, dismissing the current use of racial categories ignores the importance of these categories in addressing and documenting racial disparities. A more constructive approach would be to suggest thoughtful changes that acknowledge the importance of both race and ethnicity in understanding and addressing systemic inequities.
Reason: The original statement oversimplifies the issue and dismisses the importance of recognizing diverse identities. It is also is dismissive and lacks a thoughtful conclusion.
Revised Statement: "Racial categories are social constructs with real and significant impacts. Recognizing our shared humanity is important, but it must not come at the expense of acknowledging the ongoing effects of systemic racism. Historical and current injustices faced by Black Americans and other people of color are deeply rooted in these constructs. To address these issues, we must use language that accurately reflects these lived experiences while advocating for systemic change. The way we collect demographic information, such as race and ethnicity, should be carefully considered to ensure it helps in understanding and addressing disparities, rather than erasing them."
If you have read this far along first I would like to thank you, secondly, I would like to break down a little further these categories that are being discussed, thirdly and very vital, become a PAID subscriber. I choose to make this free because I do not believe that education should be paywalled, however this is my WORK. Honor it by supporting my survival in capitalism. Thank you in advance. Let’s continue.
Understanding the differences between race, ethnicity, nationality, and culture is essential for recognizing and respecting the diverse identities and experiences of individuals. Here is a breakdown of each term:
Race
Definition: Race is a social construct that categorizes people based on physical characteristics such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture.
Key Points:
Biological vs. Social: While there are no significant biological differences that define race, it has been used historically and socially to create hierarchies and divisions.
Impact: Race often influences one's experiences, opportunities, and how they are perceived (this is a key component in identity) in society due to systemic racism and discrimination.
Examples: Common racial categories include Black, White, Asian, and Indigenous.
Ethnicity
Definition: Ethnicity refers to shared cultural practices, perspectives, and distinctions that set apart one group of people from another. This is often based on shared ancestry, language, history, and traditions.
Key Points:
Cultural Connection: Ethnicity is more about cultural identity and heritage rather than physical traits.
Multiplicity: Individuals can identify with multiple ethnicities, reflecting diverse heritage.
Examples: Examples of ethnic groups include Han Chinese, Irish, Sami,Yoruba, and many more.
Nationality
Definition: Nationality is the legal relationship between an individual and a sovereign state. It denotes where a person holds citizenship and often where they were born or have been naturalized.
Key Points:
Legal Status: Nationality involves legal rights and obligations, such as the right to vote, work, and live in a country.
Political Identity: It is tied to the political boundaries and governance of a country.
Examples: Examples include United States American, Canadian, Japanese, and Nigerian.
Culture
Definition: Culture encompasses the social behavior, norms, knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups. It is the way of life for a group of people.
Key Points:
Dynamic: Culture is dynamic and can evolve over time through interactions with other cultures and internal developments.
Everyday Life: It influences everyday practices, from language and cuisine to rituals and values.
Examples: Examples include United States Southern Black, French culture, Indigenous culture which differs between tribes, and your company’s work culture.
Summary of Differences
Race is a social construct based on physical attributes, often linked to systemic power dynamics and hierarchy.
Ethnicity is about shared cultural heritage and practices, often connected to a common ancestry or history.
Nationality refers to the legal relationship and citizenship status within a specific country.
Culture is the broad array of social practices, norms, and values that define a group's way of life.
Each of these concepts plays a distinct role in shaping identities and social dynamics, and they often intersect in complex ways. Understanding these differences helps in appreciating the rich diversity of human experiences and identities as well as being able to honor the oppression that diverse groups experience.
In conclusion,
understanding the nuanced differences between race, ethnicity, nationality, and culture is essential for fostering a more inclusive and empathetic society. Race, as a social construct, has historically been used to categorize and oppress individuals based on physical characteristics, leading to systemic racism and discrimination. Ethnicity, on the other hand, celebrates shared cultural practices and heritage, emphasizing the richness of diverse backgrounds. Nationality defines legal and political belonging to a specific country, while culture encompasses the broad spectrum of social behaviors, norms, and values that shape our everyday lives.
Recognizing these distinctions allows us to appreciate the complexity of individual identities and experiences. It challenges us to move beyond oversimplified labels and embrace a more holistic understanding of human diversity. By doing so, we can work towards dismantling systemic inequalities, fostering deeper connections, and promoting a world where all individuals are respected and valued for their unique contributions. As we continue to educate ourselves and others, we lay the foundation for a more just and equitable society, rooted in the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
With love and care,
Desireé B Stephens
You write so beautifully about this topic. As a white mom raising half Asian daughters I was clueless about these issues until my girls taught me. I will read and reread what you’ve written because racism is implicit in our culture. I had no idea until I began to see the world thru their eyes and still have much to learn. I deeply respect your ability to define and describe examples as you write. Please do create a primer on this topic. We need it in every classroom, library and home.