Racism, Not Race

"Racism, Not Race" was very approachable and readable due to the fact that it was formatted in questions and answers. After taking classes on racism and anthropology in college, I've been very interested in the distinction between race as biological, social, and cultural constructs. This book directly answered those questions and was written by expert scientists in those fields.

"Racism, Not Race" by Graves and Goodman , two outstanding scientists, was an eye-opening treatise. One of the items that was of interest is the differentiation between racism and race as the title alludes. Historical perspectives as well as current timely views are brought into focus.

There are allusions to the biological basis of race, which actually does not exist in humans and the ties that have been used to further the notion of better and worse races. All of this is explained biologically and why the actual idea of "race" does not apply to people.

The book is well-written and describes several eye-opening ideas to help academics and others understand what humans get wrong about ideas of race but how we can resist what some would claim to be a natural order of racism.. The hate of others is a pernicious trap that racists often use to excuse their feelings and try to give it a scientific rationale.

Reading this treatise really opens the eyes of the reader, assuming there is an openness to learn and change. Some readers will find fault with the ideas and maybe even the science but to this reader they would be pulling on prejudices that have become ingrained.in their psyche and are looking for excuses.

Id opine that this should be required reading at the collegiate level and maybe even in high schools, although there would be likely repercussions, certainly in some areas (maybe most) of the United States. We still have a long way to go to be inclusive and not excuse ideas that are inspired by a racism, maybe even a subliminal one.