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Race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. [1] The term came into common usage during the 16th century, when it was used to refer to groups of various kinds, including those characterized by close kinship relations. [2]
The concept of race as a categorization of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) has an extensive history in Europe and the Americas.The contemporary word race itself is modern; historically it was used in the sense of "nation, ethnic group" during the 16th to 19th centuries.
This rigid definition of race is no longer accepted by scientific communities. [1] [2] Instead, the concept of 'race' is viewed as a social construct. [3] This means, in simple terms, that it is a human invention and not a biological fact.
The concept of "race" as a classification system of humans based on visible physical characteristics emerged over the last five centuries, influenced by European colonialism. [ 12 ] [ 18 ] However, there is widespread evidence of what would be described in modern terms as racial consciousness throughout the entirety of recorded history .
A physiological race is not to be confused with a physiologic race, an obsolete term for cryptic species. [16] Neither biological form nor forma specialis should be confused with the formal botanical taxonomic rank of forma or form, or with the zoological term form, an informal description (often seasonal) which is not taxonomic.
In order to delve further into the topic of racial formation, practitioners explore the question of what "race" is. Racial formation theory is a framework that seeks to deconstruct race as it exists today in the United States. To do this, the authors first explore the historical development of race as a dynamic and fluid social construct. This ...
Statement on race is the first statement on race issued by UNESCO. It was issued on 18 July 1950 [3]: 5 following World War II and Nazi racism, to clarify what was scientifically known about race, and as a moral condemnation of racism.
There is a controversy regarding race as a method for classifying humans. Different sources argue it is purely social construct [93] or a biological reality reflecting average genetic group differences. New interest in human biological variation has resulted in a resurgence of the use of race in biomedicine. [94]