If you look at race with a sociological perspective it is clear that it is a rather complex issue. This is because race is a socially constructed category. This means that, contrary to initial belief, racial groups are formed based on much more than just biological differences. Instead, racial categories are assigned to an individual based on social and historical experiences. Within society, racial classifications continue to have an enormous impact on an individual's life chances. Showing how race is one of numerous social constructions that influence the entire social structure while maintaining inequality. The idea of race is very real and ever-present in society. However, the majority of members of society see it simply. However, it is clear that race is a social construction that affects an individual's position within society. It has real consequences and effects which in turn shape how people see and judge themselves and the people around them. Since immigration began, there has always been a superior group and minority groups. Over time the way people were classified into these groups changed dramatically. Changes within racial classifications further support the fact that race is not a natural concept. It is also clear that there is nothing natural about the concept because the definition and meaning of race as a hole constantly changes over time (Conley 328). Race is a social concept that changes over time. Racial classifications are not based solely on genetic patterns or scientific facts. One sociological theory that really supports the thesis that race is a socially constructed category is racial formation theory. Racial formation theory generally includes the idea that in his explanation of the evolution of racial classification, Zuberi presents these social origins of racial classification. First of all there was the Chain of Being which arranged all beings in the world into a hierarchy in turn creating a racial hierarchy as people of African descent were closest to animals and people of European descent were closest to the Creator, or God (Zuberi 78 ). Later came the idea of nineteenth century Social Darwinism which held that people of certain races were best suited to dominate and survive over more inferior races (Conley 332). With the evolution of these ideas came the racialization of slavery, which led colonists to view Africans as ideal slaves and Europeans as ideal citizens, and also the formation of the ideology of racism (Zuberi 80). Racism eventually began with the birth of the term “whiteness.” Even before other non-European cultures and populations were spread, there was a separation between the original British settlers and other European immigrants (Conley 327). Racism is the idea that there are groups that are superior to other groups based on the different and unequal traits that different races possess (Conley 327). This is very different from white privilege, which is what puts those who are socially classified as white in a position of advantage over all other inferior races (McIntosh 1).
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