This is a philosophy and social issue as much as a scientific issue. It is the sad misuse of the concept of race that has created the problem. In a country that once had a system of slavery and discrimination based on skin color this is a hot button issue. The Romans used to talk about race as a bloodline or lineage which is closer to the truth. As we have become more sophisticated in our knowledge of genetics it is possible to trace descent in populations for thousands of years. I think a return to the concept of race as a family line is a valid concept. While we are as humans often of mixed origins, often there is preponderance of common bloodlines in particular areas of the world. I think that given time and less immigration there will emerge a new race in any given area. The people most suited to their environment will thrive and those less suited will not. You can see this in any rural area, there are often huge numbers of people descended from a few hardy souls. Any farmer can tell you that particular varieties of animals and plants do better in different areas. Certainly a person's genetics influence who they are as a person, even down to character. I am happy to see important issues being discussed, even when they are sensitive issues./p>
The problem as many anthropologists see it is that the word "race" represents a group of characteristics, but depending on which area of the world you are in the characteristics shift. So the idea of what constitutes a race (using the old race taxonomy) is a social construction. Race doesn't fit within the Scientific Classification - being "Caucasoid" isn't a Kingdom, Phylum ,Class ,Order, Family, Genus or Species. If you think about dog breeding , for example, the standard of what makes up a "good" breed was established by people for practical or aesthetic purposes. I'm not against classifying humans but I think the old taxonomy is dated and in reality we could probably make up tens of thousands of groups to put people in. But as humanity is increasingly mobile and not tied to geographic areas, one wonders if such a pursuit is in vain. Heck, I’m as Heinz 57 myself – what race would someone stick me in?
Good comment...esp. related to a culture with a race-based slavery history being sensitive to the racial thing. Yes--we as Americans need to be sensitive, btu we cannot ignore the fact there are are races and it makes things more interesting. Wouldn't it be boring if we were all clones of, say, Al Gore? Hardly a reason to live...