For much of human history, people viewed themselves as members of tribes or nations but had no notion of “race.” Today, science deems race biologically meaningless. Who invented race as we know it, and why? By John Biewen, with guest Chenjerai Kumanyika.
Photo: The Monument to the Discoveries, Lisbon, Portugal. The highlighted figure in the center is an effigy of Gomes Eanes de Zurara. The figure at the top right is Prince Henry the Navigator. Photo by Harvey Barrison.
Why don't we talk about this in History class? Maybe some do, but it is such a pervasive thing in our society now I'm saddened to think I'm just now knowledgeable about it. Understanding the true construct of race and why it exists helps open many doors for understanding so much more about the society we live in now.