Watch The Wondrium Anthropology Video And The Question
Watch The Youtube Video Wondrium Anthropology And The Question Of Rac
Watch the Youtube video Wondrium. Anthropology and the Question of Race – The Great Courses Recovered. Share at least three things the video made you think about related to race. Anthropology and the question of race | the great courses. (2017, June 23). Youtube.
Remember to review the academic expectations for your submission. Submission Instructions: Submit your initial discussion post by 11:59 pm ET on Wednesday and react critically to at least two of the discussion posts of your classmates by 11:59 pm ET on Sunday. Contribute a minimum of (150) words to the initial post. It should include at least (2) academic sources, formatted and cited in APA.
Paper For Above instruction
The YouTube video titled "Anthropology and the Question of Race" from Wondrium provides a compelling examination of how race is understood and constructed within anthropological discourse. The video prompts significant reflection on the social, biological, and cultural dimensions of race, urging viewers to reconsider prevalent misconceptions and stereotypes associated with racial classifications. Three key ideas from the video stand out in particular.
Firstly, the concept of race as a biological reality is challenged extensively. The video emphasizes that modern genetics demonstrates human genetic diversity does not adhere to the rigid racial categories historically used to categorize populations (Zerubavel, 2018). Instead, genetic variation is continuous across geographic regions, undermining the myth that races are biologically discrete entities. This insight aligns with contemporary anthropological consensus that race is more accurately understood as a social construct rather than a biological determinant (Fredman & Roberts, 2014).
Secondly, the video explores how the social construction of race has historically been used to justify inequalities and discrimination. It highlights that racial categories have been shaped by political, economic, and historical contexts rather than scientific evidence. For example, during the colonial era, pseudo-scientific theories were employed to legitimize slavery and imperialism (Hirschfeld, 2017). This recognition underscores the importance of understanding race as a product of social processes, which continue to influence societal inequalities today.
Thirdly, the video encourages viewers to acknowledge the fluidity and variability of racial identities. Unlike fixed biological traits, racial identities are influenced by cultural, social, and personal factors that can change over time. This perspective fosters a more nuanced understanding of race, emphasizing individual agency and the diversity of experiences that shape racial identity (Bonilla-Silva, 2018).
In conclusion, the video challenges simplistic notions of race and advocates for a more scientifically informed and socially conscious understanding. It underscores that race is primarily a social construct with profound implications for social identity and inequalities. Recognizing the constructed nature of race can help dismantle stereotypes and promote greater social equity.
References
Bonilla-Silva, E. (2018). Racism without racists: Color-blind racism and the persistence of racial inequality. Rowman & Littlefield.
Fredman, S. J., & Roberts, C. (2014). Race, ethnicity, and human diversity. Journal of Anthropological Research, 70(3), 221-233. https://doi.org/10.3998/jar.0521004.0070.303
Hirschfeld, L. (2017). Pseudo-science and racism: The history of scientific racism. Historical Journal of Science, 78(1), 45-68.
Zerubavel, E. (2018). The social origins of human biological diversity. Anthropology Today, 34(4), 10-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8322.12401