![]() The researchers found that a “soft” classification method using no a priori information on population groups identified six genetic clusters, five of which correspond directly to major geographic regions, as well as subclusters corresponding to specific populations. (2002) report on a study of 1,056 individuals from 52 different populations. Recently, genetics researchers have found evidence of genetic clusters that correspond to geographically similar populations and yield the kinds of phenotypic variations that have been used to construct concepts of race. The term “race” was used to distinguish populations in different areas on the basis of differing physical characteristics that had developed over time, such as skin color, facial features, and other characteristics (van den Berghe, 1967 Zuckerman, 1990). ![]() population.īeen relatively isolated geographic areas (for further discussion, see Montagu, 1972 Zuberi, 2001). The discussion here and in the next two chapters makes clear that data on race and ethnicity are necessary-despite measurement problems-for monitoring and analyzing evolving differences and trends among groups in the U.S. We conclude that, for analyzing discrimination and its effects on social, economic, political, and other outcomes for population groups, race is best thought of as a social construct that evolves over time. We then briefly discuss the federal government’s racial and ethnic categories for data collection (which are examined more fully in Chapter 10) and highlight the ambiguities that complicate the definition and measurement of race. Next, we present background on the history and meaning of race (and ethnicity) in the United States. In this chapter, we first summarize biological and social concepts of race. Therefore, we only briefly describe ways in which race (and ethnicity) may be defined, rather than attempting an in-depth analysis. In fact, there is little consensus on what race actually means (Alba, 1992 for discussions on the meaning of race, see Anderson and Fienberg, 2000 Appiah, 1992 Fredrickson, 2002 Jones, 1997 Loury, 2002 Omi, 2001 Winant, 2001). ![]() The focus on measuring racial discrimination in this report raises an initial question of “What is race?” Defining race is a task far more complex than can be accomplished in this chapter. ![]()
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