ABSTRACT

The chapter explores the social construct, associated meanings, identities, and assumptions of race and racism. The chapter begins by offering basic definitions and possible responses to the material in the chapter. In exploring race as social construct, the chapter examines race as a worldview and ideology and briefly examines the history of the construction of race. The chapter differentiates race from ethnicity, debunks the idea that race is primarily biological, and explores the ways that racial categories have changed over time. In exploring racial identity, the chapter presents an overview of racial identity development models for White people and people of color. In exploring racism, the chapter examines how racism is structural, intergenerational, and institutional, rather than primarily reflected in isolated individual or interpersonal actions. The chapter includes reflection exercises for readers to consider their assumptions and stereotypes, personal experiences and identity, experiences of racial privilege and/or oppression, and invites them to consider the experiences of those who are racially different than themselves.