white race
Definition
Noun: 1. A light-skinned race: A term historically used in some racial classifications to denote a group of people characterized by light skin pigmentation. This concept is based on social and historical constructs rather than biological science.
Usage
- The term is used in historical, sociological, or anthropological contexts to discuss classifications of human groups.
- Modern scientific consensus rejects the concept of biological human "races" as distinct categories, emphasizing greater genetic variation within such groups than between them.
- Its use in contemporary discourse is often considered outdated and problematic due to its association with discredited racial theories and social hierarchies.
Examples
- Noun:
- The 19th-century census categorized the population by the "white race" and others.
- Anthropologists now critique the historical concept of a "white race" as a social construct.
Advanced Usage
- "Whiteness": A related sociological concept referring to the social and institutional advantages associated with being categorized as white in certain societies.
- The study focused on the historical construction of "whiteness" in colonial societies.
Variants and Related Words
- White (adj/n): Of the color white; (noun) a person belonging to a group with light skin, especially of European ancestry.
- She wore a white dress. The policy affected whites and non-whites differently.
- Caucasian (adj/n): A term sometimes used synonymously with "white," originating from outdated anthropological theories. Its use is also contested.
- The form asked if he identified as Caucasian.
Synonyms
- Caucasoid: An outdated anthropological term.
- (Historically) European-derived peoples.
Important Note
The term "white race" represents a social classification. Contemporary academic and social discourse prefers more specific ethnic, national, or cultural identifiers (e.g., European, Irish American) and recognizes "race" as a social construct with significant historical impact rather than a biological reality.
Noun
-
a light-skinned race
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