In Response to the Website Race-The Power of an Illusionwww.pbs.org/race

The website, "Race-The Power of an Illusion," gives a good argument over the idea that race is not biological. However, I disagree with many factors within the article.

The website states that, "Classification is cultural, not scientific." It goes on to say that there is not one single gene, trait, or characteristic that distinguishes all the members of one race from all the members of another. I believe that this is not true. The gene that determines the race of a human may not be found yet. Just as the genes that cause many diseases has not been found, scientist know a gene exist but can not pin point it. True, there may be a significant amount of overlap between groups of people; this is due to mixing of the races. Like a flower that has been repollenated over and over and finally develops a subspecies.
Some of the reasons society has for defining these groups of people may be for discrimination purposes only. However, if we could scientifically determine what the difference between African, Hispanic, Native, White, Asian or other races where, then maybe we could understand why a Native American has the highest rate of diabetes and be able to treat it better.

When asked to sort people by looking at them alone, I could not. I think this proves that race is deeper than skin deep, it is genetic. Race is the genetic makeup of people. It is what makes the black premature little girl live when the white premature baby boy dies.

The article says that the search for racial differences has been fueled by preconceived notions of inferiority and superiority. Science was introduced to the concept of race in the late 18th century to validate existing racial ideas and to prove a natural hierarch of groups. In laments terms, science was introduced to race so white people could justify cruelty and slavery among diverse people. I think it is true that a natural hierarchy of groups have been proven, just not the one society intended on.