Race as a "Social Construct" | Elites Create the Rules that Serve Elites

Authors

• Jonathan Feingold, Boston University School of LawFollow
• Arnie Arnesen, WNHN

Program

#RaceClass

Episode

5

Episode Length

00:28:12

Media Type

Podcast

Release Date

7-27-2022

Publisher

WNHN

Language

en-US

Abstract

Race is a “social construct.” This means that humans created (a) racial categories, (b) the meanings we associate with those categories, and (c) the gatekeeping rules that determine who goes into which category. In #RaceClass Ep. 5, we explore the gatekeeping rules. Specifically, we ask why political elites in antebellum America adopted different gatekeeping rules for the category “Black” and the category “Indian.” Turns out, it’s all about property. And, as always, context matters.

We also remember Philando Castile – whose 2016 killing exposed that there are two Second Amendments in the United States. And race has long informed which Second Amendment a person can enjoy.

Recommended Citation

Jonathan Feingold & Arnie Arnesen, Race as a "Social Construct" | Elites Create the Rules that Serve Elites (2022).
Available at: https://scholarship.law.bu.edu/raceclass/77