Race is an underlining factor that is socially constructed within society. According to genetics, humans are found to have the same genetic make up, this leads individuals to question where the idea of race being a signifier of difference derives from, the answer is social construction. This concept will be explored through linguistics, anthropology, the case of Christie Lewis, and finally American Cinema.
Linguistics plays a vast role in the construction of race, it distinguishes difference and associates that difference with being essential to meaning. (Hall, 67) Hall uses the example of black and white to explain this notion. Individuals know what black means by contrasting the colour with its opposite, white. There are multiple binary oppositions which Hall states are used frequently, on an everyday basis to analyze meaning such as, …show more content…
(Hall, 68) Binary oppositions are used to organize humans based on differences. A common example discussed in the reading is being faced with different foods. One may start by devising two categories, one for foods that can be eaten raw, and the other for foods that can be cooked. (Hall, 68) Difference in this case, is essential to meaning. Another way to prove race as a social construct is through the case of Christie Lewis. In an interview with a male athlete named Christie Lewis, Christie commented on his social identity. He states that he was born in Jamaica, yet lived in the United Kingdom for twenty-eight years. There is no doubt that he can be anything but British, however, it is hard to be considered British when linguistics give meaning to the term British as being white. (Hall, 65) The anthropological discussed earlier has categorized British to be within the white community. Finally, race as a social construct is addressed in culture through American
Linguistics plays a vast role in the construction of race, it distinguishes difference and associates that difference with being essential to meaning. (Hall, 67) Hall uses the example of black and white to explain this notion. Individuals know what black means by contrasting the colour with its opposite, white. There are multiple binary oppositions which Hall states are used frequently, on an everyday basis to analyze meaning such as, …show more content…
(Hall, 68) Binary oppositions are used to organize humans based on differences. A common example discussed in the reading is being faced with different foods. One may start by devising two categories, one for foods that can be eaten raw, and the other for foods that can be cooked. (Hall, 68) Difference in this case, is essential to meaning. Another way to prove race as a social construct is through the case of Christie Lewis. In an interview with a male athlete named Christie Lewis, Christie commented on his social identity. He states that he was born in Jamaica, yet lived in the United Kingdom for twenty-eight years. There is no doubt that he can be anything but British, however, it is hard to be considered British when linguistics give meaning to the term British as being white. (Hall, 65) The anthropological discussed earlier has categorized British to be within the white community. Finally, race as a social construct is addressed in culture through American