Final answer:
Race is a construct based on physical appearance, lacking a scientific basis in biology. Anthropologists view it as a social construct that has been used historically to discriminate, with significant societal impacts that persist today.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definitions of Race and Anthropological Viewpoints
Race is commonly understood as a categorization of humans based on physical characteristics, such as skin color and hair texture. However, anthropologists and geneticists assert that the biological basis for race is not scientifically valid, given that traits like skin pigmentation are controlled by a very small proportion of our genetic markers. If societal norms were to shift away from traditional racial categorizations, we might classify humans in entirely different ways. Historically, the concept of race has included categories based on geographic regions or skin color, but it has over time become aligned with superficial physical traits rather than familial ties.
From an anthropological perspective, race is seen as a social construct without a firm grounding in biology. This viewpoint underscores the fluidity and arbitrariness of racial categories. Nonetheless, anthropologists acknowledge the significance of these societal constructs, recognizing that they have been historically leveraged to exploit and marginalize, and that people have actively resisted these discriminations. Anthropologists highlight the importance of considering cultural, linguistic, and biological perspectives to fully comprehend the complexities of human diversity and the consequences of racial categorization in society.