Reply #5: Exactly. Race is not a scientific term-- [View All]

the proper term is ethnic group. There is only one race--the human race. It may sound trite, but it is the truth.

So it really bugs me when I am asked what my "race" is. I always put Other, human. As far as anthropology goes, the term "race" is outdated and not specific enough to be useful. There are African Americans who look "white". There are hairy white people in Japan. You can argue whether they are white or Asian, but the truth is, they are ethnically Japanese, no matter what color the skin is. Asian is too broad a term, and includes skin colors varying from white to dark brown. Native Indonesians are more closely related to Polynesians but are considered asian.

You are right, the concept of "race" is a social construct created by rich white men in the early days of anthropology, and is sorely in need of an overhaul. At one time it may have been based on current information, but our technology and understanding of genetics has advanced tenfold since then.