multicultural Hot Words

race...

Definition

The term “race” is used to artificially classify people on the basis of supposed physical and cultural similarities coming from their common descent. Despite there being no biological basis, the idea of distinctive races still exists and is used, in many societies, as a basis for social action, a foundation of government policy and often as a justification for distinctive treatment of one group by another.

What makes it hot?

Race is hot because it is used to emphasise assumed differences between groups of people and to explain particular behaviours expected of particular groups.

In fact, the human species shares a common gene pool and there is much more genetic variation between members of so-called racial groups than there is between them.

Date Added:

10 March 2002