Race: The Power of Illusion Write Up Essay Example
Race: The Power of Illusion Write Up Essay Example

Race: The Power of Illusion Write Up Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (466 words)
  • Published: April 12, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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“Race: The Power of Illusion” is a set of three videos that challenges the concept of race. In particular, the first video called “The Difference Between Us” features modern scientific fields that question the common notion of race - the classification of humans into three or four groups based on physical appearance (California Newsreel, 2007). Historian of Science Evelynn Hammonds points out in the 56-minute episode that race is a term coined to distinguish different groups of people based on their biological, social, and cultural attributes (California Newsreel, 2003). This definition is commonly accepted and believed by many, including myself.

The video explored various justifications for the concept of race, encompassing diverse areas, concepts, and examples. One frequently employed justification was based on physical characteristics such as skin color, eye shape, and hair type that enabled people to differentiate between racial groups. This le

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d to the formation of stereotypes or standardized images associated with particular groups. For example, individuals with dark skin were often referred to as Blacks/Negroes in the case of African Americans while Native Americans were sometimes labeled Whites because of their skin tone. Alongside physical attributes, physiological structure and performance were also discussed in the video.

Speculation has arisen regarding the prowess of black athletes in sports, with conjecture surrounding their possession of more robust leg muscles. Evidence suggests that this demographic may possess unique physiological traits which aid in athletic success, as exemplified by the accomplishments of athlete Jesse Owens (California Newsreel, 2003). Additionally, geographical location, culture, and societal context all play a role in shaping perceptions of race due to distinct regional cultures and social environments.

According to California Newsreel (2003), differences i

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culture, environment, and genetics all play a role in shaping an individual's mindset and lifestyle, making different groups distinct from one another. Despite living in different locations or adopting new cultures, people cannot escape the fact that their race is inherent and cannot be erased from their blood. This is why there are so many mixed-race individuals throughout the world, with past immigration experiences leading to the possible dispersal of their ancestral race to new locations.

My perception of race has transformed after viewing the initial installment of “Race: The Power of Illusion”. Several articles assisted in constructing a new conception of race. Ann Morning's interview with university professors in 2001 and 2002 revealed two perspectives: essentialist and constructionist. Essentialist ideology categorizes individuals based on innate, inherited biological traits.

Alternatively, the perspective of constructionism denotes races as lacking scientific basis and emerging due to social factors, such as political, historical, and economic circumstances (Morning, 2006). Based on these interpretations, including insights from the video I watched, a race encompasses not only individuals living in a common area and undergoing similar experiences but also individuals who exhibit the same characteristics regardless of their location.

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