ES 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: American Jews, Sickle-Cell Disease, Scientific Racism

• School: University of Oregon
• Department: Ethnic Studies
• Course: ES 101
• Professor: Fujiwara

Document Summary

Genetic variation in human population is very small. Humans are the species w/ most alike genetics. Scientists have researched differences between african americans & whites; found nothing different. Biology is an excuse for class differences. By 1920"s a single drop of blood could determine if someone was black (inferior) Breed best & brightest; get rid of the rest. Negro was close to primitive; not long ago running & jumping was essential in the jungle. Key points race is an idea that we have ascribed to biology least genetic difference of any species scientific racism has assigned hierarchies to racial expressions. Look to racial difference as a way to explain a biological basis to race. Just because race isn"t biological, doesn"t mean race is not real. Attach meanings to race that are socially constructed. Assumptions society makes on the nature of genes inherited. Race is a biological fiction, but a social fact. Race is a social construct that can kill you.