THE concept or topic of race is a social construct. It is a concept invented by human beings. This contradicts the beliefs and opinions that most people currently hold. Some people believe the idea of race is biological, but many studies and scientific research suggest that this is not the case. Scientifically speaking, no specific gene or cluster of genes has racial markers. The identification and classification of people according to their racial group has never been fluid. The many definitions of race are not rooted in science. They were not objectively proven, permanent or consistent.

How do we classify individuals according to race? More often than not, it is a physical “classification”. Some people even went as far as associating certain faces as evil (unholy) and good (of god). It is determined by skin complexion, hair texture or type, ancestry or family. Although there is no structured definition, the concept of race was somehow developed to put human beings into huge social groups. Race should not be confused with ethnicity, as well. The concept of “race” is narrow and based on physical or biological characteristics. In contrast, ethnicity is rooted in cultural experience, expression and origin.

Both of these concepts equally lack structure in their definition and meaning. These categories are based on the context and evolution. Unfortunately, history shows that most of this separation or classification was rooted in colonialism and slavery. Where there is race, there will be racism that exists. The colonisers grouped the races of lower classes and deliberately excluded them from identifying as anything else but those “lower classes of race”.

Have you ever noticed that when a mixed-race American describes their race, they’d most likely mention that they’re “Afro-American”. Even if they’re 50% European and 50% African, they automatically assume the race of the “lower class”. The concept of race reinforces a social hierarchy and stratification of society based on the physical characteristics of human beings. It’s as if your classification and status were already determined for you as soon as you’re born. This further proves the point of the deep-rooted racism and discrimination that is associated with the misguided definitions of race.

A person’s racial identity can also change over time. A light-skinned Hispanic person in their home country might be considered as a “white”, but if they migrate to the United States, they will probably be classified as a “Hispanic”. In fact, a person who is considered as “White” in Brazil is considered as “Black” in the United States. Sometimes, siblings from the same parents want to identify as different races. Let’s consider that their parents are of Afro and Indigenous Guyanese races. Perhaps one wants to identify with the Afro-Guyanese race, and one wants to identify as an Indigenous. They can if they want to because that is what they want to be classified as. If race indeed had a firm structure, that would have never been the case.

Do you also know that when you take a DNA test, it cannot determine your race? It will most likely tell you about your Ethnic (cultural) makeup. These DNA tests will most likely just tell you where your ancestors came from geographically. However, it cannot define your race. I am writing this column to remind you that these definitions of race and, by extension—this discrimination should not limit you. How you look or who your ancestors are—should not be a tag that separates you from achieving and attaining all that you want to do in life.

Race is a human invention, and, as such, it can be reinvented into much more meaningful definitions and classifications. The definition of who a European, Asian or African is has changed drastically over the decades. I know this after reading history textbooks for one of my University classes and seeing what defined “Africans” as Africans. The descriptions might vary from 100 years ago to now. However, I can safely say that discrimination and prejudice have remained the same. Just as how humans created these disgusting concepts, they can be redefined and adapted. I hope these social constructs are reconstructed more positively in the next 100 years. Humanity depends on it.