I thought it was interesting to compare not just the two contrasting ideas of Leroi and Goodman but also the views Sean Thomas as well. Armand Leroi believed that race is biological and can be blamed from common genetic variants. He says race is a vague shorthand way of separating people genetically rather than culturally or politically. Sean Thomas stated that race is merely a social construct which constricts society into common boundaries. He suggested that we eliminate race in general for it has no apparent purpose. Alan Goodman stated that race is neither biological nor just a social construct but rather also an experience that society has to go through.
I think all three views are valid points but if I had to agree with one of the statements it would definitely be Alan Goodman's point. From all of the excerpts we have read that said there is barely any genetic variations when it comes to race, forces me to believe race is not at all genetic but a term created to divide people in order to create some sort of a hierarchy. The reason why I can not completely side with Sean Thomas' idea is that even though race has caused separation, animosity, violent backlash amongst races, teaching people to forget such is nearly impossible.
In my opinion, whether race is a genetic variation or a social construct, it shouldn't even matter. There's no reason for the human race to sub-classify themselves in order to create a social hierarchy. Apparently genetic science shows us that an Europeans genes are no different than an Africans. So what makes us different? Solely our external appearance. If I could decide what to do with the idea of race, I would not force later generations not to learn about it, I would teach how to accept all cultures which would lessen some of the animosities that society has today. Eventually humans are going to be a hodgepodge of mixed races so why not get accustomed to other "races" right now?
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