Is Race a Social Construct or Is It Not Real? (w/ Sheena Mason and Kevin Currie-Knight)

October 21, 2021 01:29:49
Is Race a Social Construct or Is It Not Real? (w/ Sheena Mason and Kevin Currie-Knight)
Sophia
Is Race a Social Construct or Is It Not Real? (w/ Sheena Mason and Kevin Currie-Knight)

Oct 21 2021 | 01:29:49

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Show Notes

The second in a planned series of dialogues between Sheena Mason (SUNY Oneonta) and Kevin Currie-Knight (East Carolina) on philosophies of race. In this dialogue, Sheena and Kevin flesh out the difference between saying that race is a social construction and (Sheena's position) that race isn't real in any sense.

3:23 - Kevin's Confusion: what is the difference between saying that race isn't real at all, and saying that race isn't biologically real but IS a social construct?
9:53 - If we can use racialized language reliably in every day life, how can we then say that race doesn't signify anything 'real' in some way?
19:31 - Is there a strategic difference between saying that race is real as a social construction and saying that race isn't real at all? The benefits of race skepticism.
39:14 - How belief in the reality of race causes us to bungle so many conversations (such as the viral confrontation in Arizona State's multicultural center).
55:47 - Does social constructionism about race lock you into racialized thinking in a way race skepticism doesn't?
1:02:48 - Is it an indefensible stereotype to call someone a "sellout" or "traitor" to their "race"?

The video we referred to about the skirmish at Arizona State U's multicultural center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BzraMlg9Ek

CONNECT WITH SHEENA:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/queenshe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theory-of-racelessness
Website: https://www.theoryofracelessness.org

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