The Social Construct of Race: Why Changing Your Race Is Not as Easy as Changing Your Height

Height is also a social construct—but you can’t so easily change the way you were born. It's far easier to just change the construct. Race, on the other hand, is not as easily modified. Why is that?

Race has always been a misleading concept, but it became truly mind-numbing when it became associated with skin color. Dark skin being a different "race" than light skin is a social construct, not a biological fact. The color of your skin is a physical reality, not a social construct. Race is not a social construct and because race, like gender, is genetic, it is therefore unchangeable.

According to a study published in Nature Genetics, genetic variation classification and race are determined by our biological backgrounds. It is inaccurate to state that race is “biologically meaningless.” The concept of race has always been more complex than people realize, as it is a social construction based on skin color, among other factors.

Understanding Social Constructs

People often misunderstand the concept of social constructs. A national border is a social construct. You can travel through Europe and try to ignore borders because you don't believe in them, but how well will that go? Social constructs are real things. A race, as a social construct, is based on skin color. So, if you're white, you cannot simply declare yourself black, and vice versa. Just like with national borders, your personal beliefs about race don't change the reality of society's perceptions.

People do change their race, but it requires the cooperation and collusion of the rest of society. The example of Italians being labeled as "dagoes" and "wops" decades ago, and now being considered white, illustrates this point. The social construct of race is fluid and can change over time as society's perceptions and values evolve. However, this doesn't mean individuals can simply alter their race status on their own.

Historical Context and Social Reconstruction

The nature of race as a social construct is further illustrated by historical examples. Irish people were not seen as white until relatively recently. Similarly, Jewish people were not considered white until they moved to Israel. In the extreme right, Jewish people are not considered white when living outside Israel, yet when they move to Israel, they are suddenly seen as "white knights fighting Saracens."

This historical and social context demonstrates that race is not a static concept but a fluid social construct that can change based on societal perceptions and historical events. Changing race is not a personal choice but a societal one, involving a complex interplay of social, cultural, and political factors.