Race doesn’t exist biologically, but its social impact is undeniable. Sociologist Dr. Rina Bliss explores how the myth of biological race persists in science, medicine, and policy, distorting our understanding of health, intelligence, and behavior. She exposes how even well-intentioned research can reinforce harmful assumptions by misapplying racial analysis, ultimately revealing that racism, not race, shapes our lives.

This book highlights what genetics tells us about race—most importantly, that the human diaspora doesn’t align with geographical concepts of race. Race is sociological, not genetic. And yet, humans continue in their attempts to use genetics to create simple ways to classify people. It’s a modern form of eugenics unsupported by science. The book is intelligently written, engaging, and accessible for a lay audience.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I have always maintained that race has no basis in genetics. Even if you believe race exists due to socialization how different are siblings of different races, when they grow up in the same home? My sister and I are pretty similar. My cousins are similar to me.
What about people of different races who grow up in the same neighborhood? We have the same community culture. At the same time I, as a white woman, do not need to fear racists (I still do but I don't need to). That is enough to make us different.

Naturally I am drawn to books like this.
Thank you for presenting race from this completely new perspective. And thank you for explaining the history. I always keep in mind that eugenics started here.
Right now this read is a lot heavier than it would have been even a few weeks ago. I have been having nightmares every night about ICE.

Thank you for this. I think it should be required reading.

I'm super intrigued by this topic but ultimately the writing style killed it for me. I could not get into it which hindered my enjoyment, maybe a different author would have communicated this better?

Reading this felt like when you pick a topic for an easy, open google and a word document, put in all the initial research you gather, add in some notes to tie in with larger ideas you hope to expound on, and take a break cause research is exhausting. Except, you never go back and organize your ideas and right out your arguments.