ANTH 3101 Chapter 1: Article - Omi and Winant
Document Summary
When european explorers found people who looked different from themselves, it came into question whether these people could also be considered people of god and thus how one should treat them accordingly. Race thought to be biological concept in 18th and 19th centuries. Social sciences reject biologistic notions of race for regarding race as a social concept. Race is a socio-historical concept; racial meanings vary over time and between societies. In us, rigid black/white color line has historically been enforced. White = pure, any racial intermixture = nonwhite. In lowland areas of latin america; after abolition of slavery, absence of defined racial groupings; less rigid. Passing for white in us vs not passing for black in latin american societies. Meaning of race defined and contested throughout society. Seemingly obvious "natural" and "common sense" qualities testify effectiveness of racial formation process.
