El Fin

A final entry:

“Race is an inaccurate description or explanation of human biological variation.

Race is the partitioning of people arbitrarily into groups using biological and

cultural characteristics. Humans are actually more alike than they are different.”  -RACE (a program in place to lessen discrimination) go here for more information: http://www.understandingrace.org/home.html

3a.) Race is not biological. If it were biological we could determine a person’s race by simply studying their genes. But no specific gene codes for a specific race. Race is simply a classification of people with similar characteristics such as skin color and hair type. Society has created this misconception that race is in our genes. The sociological definition of race is the way we view a person and the way our mind consciously or unconsciously puts them in certain categories. I may decide that a woman is African American but she could indeed be from Latino background.  Read this article to simply learn about race: (http://www.understandingrace.org/resources/pdf/family_guide.pdf)

3b.) The IAT test or Implicit Association tests showed that I have a slight preference toward Caucasian individuals. This test focused on our minds subconscious and conscious view between black and white people with positive and negative words. I feel like the quick speed of the test only took away from the accuracy because people did not have time to sift through their true feelings about the person and/or word associated with him/her. I am not surprised that I have a slight preference for Caucasian individuals because I am white myself. People tend to gravitate toward people similar to them. For example, people with in common economic and social classes, with skin color, and with common interests are attracted to one another.

3c.) It is proven that African Americans are not biologically superior athletes because there is no gene that is linked with skin color and increased muscle mass, for example. However it is obvious that African descendents do perform better in sprinting and other athletics. This is due to the culture. Athletic ability is a great stress in African American culture. Many revolve their meal planning, exercise, and habits around there athletic training. In this way, the African American race does commonly prove to get ahead athletically.

4.) While taking my sociology class and reading articles about our society, I have picked up on a few things. First of all, I notice that I may have less control of my own life then I would like to think. The way I was born and brought up has such a large impact on my present and future life. Also, I found it interesting that wealth is accumulated generation from generation. It is very rare for a person to climb up the social latter even if they work hard. I have become less biased and like look at things on a larger scale overall. For example, I realize that my idea of proper grammar is different than Southerners or African Americans (habitual “be”). Overall, the class has opened my eyes and the articles I’ve read are quite fascinating.