Racism in America :: essays papers

Racism in America The Construction of an Institution For hundreds of years, it has been truth that the unravels were biologicly dissimilar. The differences that separated society were base on scientifically based genetic differences that gave reason for the separation of races. However based on recent findings, it is known that this is not the case. In 1974 Richard Lewontin dispelled this myth with a study he did that prove that there are no genetic differences amid races. In fact he discovered if anything, there were more differences within the races then between the different races. Why then, do we still have use for different races? Why is racism still rampant in American society? The reason is that although race is not founded through science, this institution of American society is merely an obsolete combination of historical, social, and cultural construction. Historically our physical differences supplied reason to separate into races. In do ing this we wait the emergence of races. Europeans marked individuals that looked different from them and used this difference as a justification for their reasoning that these individuals were inferior to them. To support their claims, there was scientific research through to explain our differences. These differences were said to be biological. As early as the 1800s scientists purported these ideas to be true. One doctor believed that blacks suffered from a form of leprosy. Because science is said to be so exact and indisputable, Americans held these theories to be truth and used them to construct the different classifications of race. These biological findings provided the basis for the most corrupt institution in America racism. Through the classifying of population of color as inferior due to genetic reasoning, provided whites with an excuse to dominate. This social issue divided the country and served as a weapon to keep commonwealth of color in the minority and deni ed them of any economic or educational power that was necessary to survive in America. This social phenomenon further abused the biological differences to further oppress people of color. Race provided the perfect method of domination in America. To the dismay of racists around the country, a scientist decided to reevaluate the genetic differences between the races, that had been so cleverly constructed.