ppgl2eq

Activities/Extensions
Activity: What is Race?
The purpose of the following activities is to have students explore the concept of race as a social
idea rather than as a biological reality. Many of the stereotypes associated with persons of
African descent flow from beliefs that there are inherent (immutable) characteristics along group
lines that shape intelligence, impulse control, criminality, etc. From the mid-1700s forward,
science has played an active role in constructing these beliefs (Harding). While contemporary
science has debunked these, they persist in our society. Understanding that race is an illusion is
an important step toward seeing the full humanity of the enslaved peoples in the series, and
understanding the depth of the injustice of enslavement.
SECONDARY
Option 1:
Have students visit the following PBS site, Race: The Power of an Illusion, and work through the
interactive exercises listed below:
http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm
What is Race? This exercise looks at “race” as a modern idea, the absence of a genetic
basis for it, its use in the justification of slavery, and why “colour blindness” is
problematic.
Sorting People is an interactive exercise that demonstrates how difficult it is to
“accurately” sort people by contemporary racial definitions.
The Race Timeline is an interactive exploration of the following themes: Race, Science
& Social Policy; the Evolution of the Idea of Race; Changing Definitions; Different
Rules for Whites; and In Search of Equality. Each allows for a more in-depth exploration
of the both the idea of race and the consequences that flowed and continue to flow from
it.
Human diversity is an exploration of human difference through the lenses of genetics,
biology and anthropology.
Me, My Race and I is a compilation of the voices of people talking about their
experiences with race and the effects it has on their daily lives.
To go deeper into the science of race, the PBS “Race and Science” page explores human genetics
and race. Lesson plans are provided for elementary, middle and secondary classes:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aalives/2006/science_race.html
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