Race
From RationalWiki
The term race refers to the debatable belief that it is possible to divide people into clear, well-defined groups based on a haphazard variety of characteristics.
The most usual way is to arbitrarily ascribe "race" based on skin color; although others attempt to to define it based on hypothesized common ancestry, language and self-identification.
As there is only one human species it is difficult to see how humanity can be further sub-divided into "races" based on the varying definitions that different societies have applied over time. Essentially the term "race" is no more than social invention, typically used by more powerful groups in an attempt to provide some legitimacy for denigrating, controlling or exploiting others.
It is also interesting to note that most racists insist that they are members of the "white" race. In reality the only "white" humans are albinos - so racists should really revel in being "pink" and not "white".
Not surprisingly, the racists at Metapedia have different ideas.
[edit] Other uses
A "race" is also a thing where several contestants try to do something in the least amount of time[1] in order to win.
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ Or, try to do the most of something in a fixed amount of time.
