Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dark-skinned race: A term historically used in some anthropological and social contexts to refer to a grouping of people characterized by dark skin pigmentation. This term is now considered outdated, imprecise, and often offensive in scientific and general usage, as it relies on a socially constructed concept of race rather than meaningful biological categories.

Usage Notes

• The term "black race" is problematic and should be used with extreme caution. Modern scientific consensus rejects the concept of biological human races as valid classifications. Contemporary usage favors more specific, respectful, and accurate terminology related to ethnicity, nationality, or cultural heritage.
• It is strongly recommended to avoid this term in formal, academic, or everyday contexts. If referring to people, use precise descriptors (e.g., "people of African descent," "African American community") based on the specific context.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Outdated anthropological texts sometimes classified humanity into categories like the "black race," "white race," and "yellow race." (This illustrates historical, now-discredited usage.)
  • The concept of a monolithic "black race" ignores the immense genetic and cultural diversity within Africa and its diaspora. (This example critiques the term.)

Advanced Usage

• The term may appear in historical documents, older sociological studies, or in critical discussions about the history of racial classification. Its use today is primarily in deconstructing and analyzing the history of racism and pseudoscience.

Variants and Related Words

• Black (adj/n): When used as a racial or ethnic identifier (often capitalized: Black), it refers to people of African ancestry and is a social-political identity, not a biological "race." Example:
• Race (n): A social construct used to categorize humans based on shared physical or social qualities. Example:

Synonyms

• Negroid: An even more outdated and now considered offensive anthropological term. Avoid using.
• People of color: A broad, modern term encompassing people of non-European descent, often used in social justice contexts. (Note: This is a broader term, not a direct synonym.)

Related Phrases

• Race relations: The relationships, attitudes, and interactions between different racial groups within a society.
• Racial classification: The act or system of categorizing people into races.

Noun

1. a dark-skinned race