For This Seminar You Will Practice Doing Some Research On Yo

For This Seminar You Will Practice Doing Some Research On Your Own Y

For this seminar, you will practice doing some research on your own! You will find and use 2-4 sources to complete the assignment. Like gender, race is a fundamental part of identity politics in our culture. For this seminar you will write an analysis of an issue surrounding race in the US. - First, think about the definition of race: how might the social construct of race shape the way race becomes a political discussion? Do race and gender have any commonalities in the way that they are constructed and the political repercussions of their definitions?

Tip: "Google" the phrase "Race as a 'Social Construction'" and review the current discourse to get the wheels turning. Craft a "mini-essay" (about 4-6 paragraphs, 600+ words) using ideas from 2-4 texts/sources you found (could be an article, video, documentary, podcast, etc.) firsthand experience, and/or any other insight you can offer to this conversation. In other words, What's your Critical Reaction? Remember that we are building toward an understanding of identity politics; shape your responses to that end. Make sure to use summary, paraphrase and quote to accurately and succinctly explain ideas in each source.

Paper For Above instruction

The social construct of race is a phenomenon rooted in societal perceptions and historical contexts that have profoundly shaped political discourse in the United States. Understanding how race is socially constructed involves exploring how perceptions of biological differences have been historically exaggerated or fabricated to categorize, marginalize, and control populations. This essay delves into the ways race functions as a social construct, its influence on political debates, and its parallels with gender in shaping societal power dynamics.

One foundational perspective on race as a social construct is presented in Peggy McIntosh's seminal work on privilege, where she discusses how racial categories are not grounded in biological fact but are social ideas that serve specific political and social purposes (McIntosh, 1989). The idea that race is an arbitrary classification emphasizes that racial identities are not fixed or innate but are constructed to perpetuate inequalities. These constructions, validated and reinforced by institutions such as the legal system, media, and education, influence how racial groups are perceived and treated in society. For instance, persistent stereotypes about Black Americans as inherently threatening or less intelligent shape policies on policing, education, and employment, often justifying systemic disparities.

Research further highlights how racial categories have been utilized in policy and law to segregate and disenfranchise communities. The Jim Crow laws, for example, exemplified explicit legal constructs of race designed to uphold racial hierarchies (Blumenson & Nelsen, 2007). These laws institutionalized segregation and created a racialized social order that continues to impact contemporary debates around affirmative action and voting rights. The social construction of race, therefore, is not merely an abstract idea but a practical tool used to maintain social and economic power structures. Similar mechanisms are at play with gender, where societal expectations and stereotypes inform political policies and cultural norms.

Furthermore, examining the parallels between race and gender reveals commonalities in how societal constructs shape political and social realities. Both are viewed as identities shaped by cultural narratives rather than biological determinism, yet both have profound political repercussions. For example, feminist theorists argue that gender, like race, is a social construct used to justify unequal power relations—such as disparities in wages, political representation, and social status (Connell, 2002). The concept of intersectionality further illustrates how race and gender intersect, affecting individuals’ experiences and access to resources differently based on their combined identities (Crenshaw, 1991). This intersectional analysis underscores that both constructs operate simultaneously, reinforcing systemic inequalities.

Visual media, documentaries, and podcasts provide contemporary insights into how racial constructs continue to evolve and manifest. For instance, the documentary "13th" by Ava DuVernay exposes how racialized incarceration policies are rooted in a historic continuum of racial control and political manipulation (DuVernay, 2016). The film illustrates that race as a social construct remains central to political strategies aimed at maintaining economic and social dominance, exemplifying its ongoing influence. This ongoing discourse emphasizes the importance of critically examining racial narratives and confronting their political implications to foster a more equitable society.

In conclusion, race, as a social construct, profoundly influences political discourse and societal structure in the United States. Its parallels with gender reveal that both are malleable categories shaped by cultural and political contexts rather than biology. Recognizing these constructs and their impact enables a more nuanced understanding of systemic inequalities and the importance of intersectional approaches in addressing them. By critically engaging with media, scholarly sources, and personal insights, we can move toward dismantling harmful perceptions and fostering social justice.

References

• Blumenson, E., & Nelsen, H. (2007). American Politics and the African American Struggle for Rights. M.E. Sharpe.
• Connell, R. (2002). Gender and Power: Society, the Person, and Sexual Politics. Stanford University Press.
• Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241-1299.
• DuVernay, A. (Director). (2016). 13th [Documentary]. Netflix.
• McIntosh, P. (1989). White Privilege and Male Privilege: A Personal Account of Coming to See Correspondences Through Work in Women’s Studies. Wellesley College Center for Research on Women.