Coloring Outside of the Lines: Rethinking The Concept of Race

What skin tone must one be to be considered white?

The most common answer to this question is the simplest: "White", but how do we define "white"?  If I pulled out a white crayon, white paint swatch, piece of white computer paper, are we talking about this type of white?  Probably not, as most healthy Caucasian human beings are not that white.  In fact, if one was to look at the available foundations (base make up to match skin color) in the make up aisle, one would notice that there are a variety of "white" or Caucasian foundation colors available (see Picture 1).  They all fall within the "white" spectrum, but there are several shade choices available.

Picture 1: Makeup samples for Caucasian skin tones

And the types of people that one would label white (or Caucasian) further demonstrates the wide variety of white skin tones that exist in the world.  There is no one ideal "white" person.  And the same can be said for all the other racial types out there-be it black, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, etc.

So what?  What exactly am I getting at?

That race is a term and idea that is culturally constructed!  Race is defined as discrete categories of people in part based on biological as well as behavioral characteristics.  While this definition seems flawless and pretty accurate, it is actually flawed and imperfect.   For one, race do not exist as a biologically supportable entity but one that continues to hold weight and importance in society because it serves specific purposes within each society and culture.

Wait a second!  Hold the phone!  What do you mean "not biologically supportable"?

Human variation is very real, and we can see these differences in our biology.  There are different hair and eye colors, skin tones, facial features, body types, etc.  These are real differences, but these differences are not consistently the same among each "race" (as demonstrated above).  Let's more critically evaluate this idea:

Look at the following pictures and identify the Hispanics:

 

They are all Hispanic!  From top to bottom, these are pictures of actress Rita Hayworth, baseball player Sammy Sosa, musician Shakira, Chief Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and comedian Louis C.K., and yes, they are all Hispanic despite not necessarily "looking" Hispanic based on preconceived notions of what is considered Hispanic (typically, dark complected with dark hair & eyes). 

As previously mentioned, human variation is real, and it exists in order to allow us, as biological entities, to be able to adapt to our environments.  You may have noticed that your hair and skin color may and will change when exposed to the sun (or tanning booths).  These changes allow human beings to cope with UV radiation from the sun because too much radiation increases the likelihood of contracting skin cancer or having negative pregnancy outcomes.  The darker one's skin gets, the better able one is to combat against those negative health outcomes.


Today, one can also change their hair color by dying it, or change their eye color by wearing colored contact lenses.  With all of the natural and man-made means of manipulating our bodies, it becomes almost impossible to identify specific biological traits that can and will always be associated with a specific race.  But racial classifications continue based on socially definitions that describe the ideal white, black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. individual (see Picture 2). 

From website: "Exclusive set of dolls feature realistically-detailed, soft vinyl bodies with moveable arms, legs and head, rooted hair, acrylic eyes and interchangeable clothing. Includes boy and girl dolls, Caucasian, African American, Asian, and Hispanic. Standard Focus: role-play, community studies, compare cultures & traditions, appreciate similarities & differences."  These are examples of ideal racial types that are being used to teach race to children, further demonstrating the cultural conception of racial classifications.

   

Furthermore, biologists have demonstrated that every single human being is 94% similar at the genetic level.  The 6% difference allows for that natural human variation that is necessary for adaptability to our physical environment(s), but that 6% is not enough to biologically support the racial classifications identified in all cultures.  Also, not all cultures identify the same racial categories (e.g. in the US, there are anywhere from 3-20+ racial categories; in Latin American, there are 3; in Brazil, there are 200+ racial categories, although on average 20 are used), and not all cultures define race the same way.  Race can be identified based on skin color, linguistic ability (how well one speaks a specific language), how one dresses, where one lives, birth right, and more.  All of these further demonstrate the cultural constructions of race. 

In conclusion, there is no such as racial classifications as societies and cultures define them.  There is only one race: the HUMAN RACE.  All other races are imbued with specific social and cultural meanings that are not and cannot be biologically supported.  So the next time critically think about what you are doing when you assume the racial affinity about others, and further think about why you are doing it.