The Social Aspects of Race

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how Alan Locke's essay "The Concept of Race as Applie to Social Culture" and Ralph Ellison's novel "Invisible Man", show us that race is not only the biological difference between people, but is a socially constructed concept as well. The paper concludes that we can see the social aspect of race through people's interactions with others, through cultural traditions, as well as through racism and stereotypes.

From the Paper:

"Like these other groups, race can be subject to subjective views about what makes an individual part of that group. As Locke says, race is "properly analyzed on the basis of conformity to or variance from culture type." Race as a social structure can only be judged in varying amounts relative to the race culture. This idea is wide spread today with individuals having to cultivate an image that is, for example, 'black enough' or 'not too Hispanic.' It is not uncommon to hear someone be put down for acting out of character for their racial stereotypes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. New York: Vintage International, 1952.
• Locke, Alain. "The Concept of Race as Applied to Social Culture." The Philosophy of Alain Locke: Harlem Renaissance and Beyond. Philadelphia: Temple UP, 1989.

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