Abstract
This paper discusses race relations in Florida. It particularly explores race relations within professional trades in the area. The paper presents the experiences of the writer who is employed as a carpenter in the state of Florida and then explores the relationship of the races in the area in order to better enable the writer to live and thrive within his environment.

Table of Contents:
Introduction to Race Relations in Florida
The Local Community and Race
The Government and Racial Relations
Schools and Race
Race and the Workplace
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Racial relations within Florida are for the most part clear; however there are still very real tensions which exist. In my work alone I experience directly the results of former discrimination and current affirmative action. Throughout my experience of education and current enrollment I can see that racial relations are a topic of great concern to many people. The leaders of the communities and state seem to care, as the One Florida initiative would indicate, and in my personal interactions I seek to foster positive racial relations, as to me it is a non-issue and thus it does not become one. While some in the community may treat those who are different in a discriminatory fashion, such attitudes seem to be fading as time progresses. I do not particularly agree with some of the decisions of leadership, particularly those of allocating a certain number of jobs to minority contractors, as I think it should be entirely based upon price and quality, but I also understand that there are a less minority contractors due to past discrimination, so efforts in the present, while inconvenient, are excusable in the least. Overall, I am content with the racial relations within the community of Florida, and given the chance to improve anything, I would seek only to enhance the feeling of togetherness and to advance the fading of color-boundaries and lines."

Tags:interaction, relationship, community, race, tension

Abstract
This paper describes the history of race as a distinctly Western idea. Through this process, the writer shows how and when the concept of "race" was invented or socially constructed. It then emphasizes the point that race has no biological reality by focusing on genetics and human variation, among other factors that repudiate the notion that race is biologically real. Finally, it looks at how the concept of race is, indeed, as Hacking states, "quite bad as it is," and puts forth a new archetype, one that does away with the concept of race altogether and focuses on the uniqueness of individual human beings.

From the Paper
"What does it mean to say that race is "socially constructed"? In fact, what do we mean when we say that anything is socially constructed? Ian Hacking, after researching many books on social construction, stated that in order for something - he called it "X" - to be socially constructed, it must adhere to the following two premises: (0) In the present state of affairs, X is taken for granted; X appears to be inevitable. (1) X need not have existed, or need not be at all as it is. X, or X as it is at present, is not determined by the nature of things; it is not inevitable. Hacking goes on to state that these next two claims are also usually, though not always, implied by the use of the phrase "social construction": (2) X is quite bad as it is. (3) We would be much better off if X were done away with, or at least radically transformed."

Tags:construction, race, racism, social

Abstract
This paper supports the theory that "race" is a social construct based on hegemony and organizational hierarchies within society. It draws on the writings of DuBois, Wade, and Takaki and emphasizes the importance of historical context in analyzing race. Similar to the constantly changing perception of differences between male and female from the 18th century to the present, the definition of race includes a continuous series of contradictions throughout social history.

From the Paper
"Similar to Dubois, in "Iron Cages," Ronald Takaki analyzes the concept of race alongside the establishment of republican America. He elucidates the notion of race in terms of economic, political, and social developments rather than a history of common attitudes in 19th century America. Takaki emphasizes the importance of the political world in 19th century America, which was focused on separation from the King of England, and ideas of republicanism, Protestantism, and the Great Awakening as products of the American Revolution (Takaki, 4). Protestantism, mentioned earlier, insisted upon a strong work ethic and individual achievement, particularly in the newly adopted capitalist system. The ideology formed as an opposition to the luxurious and expensive habits of the King of England resulted in a need for a "virtuous people," who would not only separate themselves from the King but also exercise a government by the people, or a republican government (7). Takaki says, "A government dependent on the character of the people would be fragile. If people abandoned simplicity of manners and succumbed to luxury, the government would become corrupt and tyrannical" (9). The migration of Europeans to America stemmed from the oppression and domination employed by the English monarch and justifies the development of Protestant and republican ideologies that inevitably conflict with the Indians and African-Americans."

Tags:Race Racism DuBois Wade Takaki, Concept of Race

Abstract
This paper discusses the documentary, "Race: The Power of an Illusion". It explains that people are sectioned by distinct groups of black, white, green, purple and orange which are endowed by our psyche. It explores the essence of the documentary and explains the idea of race as biology suggesting that a belief in race is no more sound than believing that the sun revolves around the earth. It contends that race is real and accounts for many subjects such as anthropology, sociology, American history and cultural studies.

From the Paper
"The Power of an Illusion, people is sectioned by distinct groups of black, white, green, purple and orange, which is endowed by our psyche. In essence, the idea of race as biology suggesting that a belief in race is no more sound than believing that the sun revolves around the earth. However, race is still an issue. Basically, race is real and accounts for many subjects such as anthropology, sociology, American history, and cultural studies. Psychologist Beverly Daniel Tatum studies race relations and influences the political discussion with respect to race and class politics. She adds that race and the legacy of discrimination continue to affect our lives whether in our everyday interactions with others or in our life opportunities. Also, the norm proclaims that "white" is accepted and never questioned or burdened compared to "nonwhites." The nonwhites feel resentment, angered and frustrated that they are not ..."

Tags:race, inequality, power

Abstract
This paper looks at and analyzes the pros and cons of race based jury nullification and comes out against it. It further describes race based jury nullification as when there is sufficient evidence that the defendant is guilty but the jury votes for acquittal anyway based entirely on the defendant's race.

From the Paper
"Jury nullification is when the jury refuses to deliver a verdict according to the law regardless of the evidence presented against the defendant and finds them innocent. Instead it bases its verdict on other grounds. In recent years courts have seemed to favor jury nullification less. The Fourth Circuit decision US v Moylan affirmed the right of jury nullification but also the power of the court to refuse to permit an instruction to the jury regarding this right."

Tags:jury nullification, race, evidence, defendant, acquittal

Abstract
This paper identifies and analyzes how the concept of race has changed within America over the past fifty years. This paper also addresses possible outcomes for race and the perception of race within the following five decades. Through doing so, it is demonstrated that racial identity is still connected to the perception of racism in many major aspects of American life.

From the Paper
"Awareness of race and racial issues is not racism, but in the modern era it is extremely difficult to distinguish between these concepts. The perception of race and racial awareness within the United States has transformed dramatically over the past five decades, where resistance to racial integration initially framed racial issues, but integration and..."

Tags:race, racism, perception

Abstract
The writer discusses how observing people at a local mall regarding race relations was an enlightening experience. The writer explains that this is because living in his/her own world, he/she is often oblivious to the issue of race in society. The writer says that he/she interacts with people based on their individual character, not on the color of their skin. Therefore the writer explains that he/she has not been aware of issues that exist beyond his/her own existence and beliefs about race.

Tags:gender, race, relations

Abstract
This paper discusses the issue of race relations during the Reconstruction period with reference to the book "A short History of Reconstruction" by Eric Foner. Reconstruction was the time immediately after the Civil war that showed the deep and sharp racial division that existed in the American society and the author is of the view that many of the race-related problems that still persist in the country have their roots in the Reconstruction period.

Tags:reconstruction, race, relations

Abstract
This paper opens with a clear definition of both IQ and intelligence. The writer of this paper contends that IQ does not measure racial characteristics or individual phenotypic characters such as height or weight. IQ results are a measurement of the rank order or relative standing of test scores in a given population. IQ tests measure only cultural content, values and assumptions taught through formal education. This paper discusses the myths about race and IQ which go back a long way, to a time before IQ tests. The writer cites various philosophers and social scientists who believed that the branches of humanity were distinguishable both temperamentally and intellectually. The writer of this paper attempts to legitimize the viewpoint that intelligence is culturally based, not genetically based and that IQ is a measure of very limited usefulness in very limited situations with a very narrowly defined cultural group. This paper also analyzes one's exposure to technology and educational content and its impact on IQ scores, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Table of Contents:
Defining IQ and Intelligence
What About Race?
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"The myths about race and IQ go back a long way, to a time before IQ tests. Philosophers Hume, Kant and Hegel all believed that the various branches of humanity were distinguishable both temperamentally and intellectually. As difficult as it is to credit today, Kant and Hume associated "the dark pigmentation of persons of African origin with cognitive deficiencies, and Hegel wrote disparagingly of the natural temperament of Africans as explanatory of their cultures." They came by their prejudice 'honestly': Aristotle had argued that the dark pigmentation of the Africans of Egypt and Nubia in ancient times signaled cowardice. Thereafter, while philosophers no longer seemed to dabble in racial issues, social scientists did."

Tags:race, intelligence, testing, scores, philosophy, social, scientists, technology, education

Abstract
The paper maintains that there is a tendency among white people living in Canada to downplay or ignore the relevance and importance of race or ethnicity, or even to be utterly unaware of it. However, people who belong to minorities in Canada contend that race and ethnicity have a powerful influence over social interaction and involvement within Canadian society. This paper shows that the people belonging to minorities are in fact correct: race and ethnicity do, to a large extent, determine social interaction and involvement within Canadian society.

Tags:race, canada, minorities