Race as a Social Construct

On the lined side of your notecard,
write your name on the top line.

Under where you wrote your name,
number the card 1 - 3.

Answer each of the following questions: 

            1. What race are you?

            2. Why are you this race?

            3. What does it mean to be this race?

Now flip the card over to the blank side
and number the card 1 - 3.

Answer each of the following questions: 

1. What race do other people identify you as?

2. Why do they identify you as this race?

3. What does it mean for them to identify you as this race?

What patterns have emerged? 

Discuss with your group
before we discuss as a class.

The Myth of Race

Dictionary Definitions of "Race"

From the Oxford English Dictionary

...each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics

From Merriam-Webster

...a category of humankind that shares certain
distinctive physical traits

From Dictionary.com

...a group of persons related by common 
descent or heredity

Our Definition of "Race"

We're going to create our own working definition of race, to be used in discussions throughout the semester...

A manmade method of identifying people
based on common descent or heredity,
which may or may not include physical characteristics.