Racial vacillation

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Racial vacillation refers to how racial classifications are not fixed or immutable but can change over time and across different social contexts.[1] It recognizes that racial classifications are socially constructed rather than biological, and are subject to social and political influences. As societal norms and power structures evolve, so too do the definitions and boundaries of race, demonstrating that racial identities are not inherent or static but are constantly being renegotiated and redefined. This fluidity is a manifestation of broader power dynamics and reflects the ways in which social, economic, and political structures are interwoven with issues of race and identity.

Race is understood by sociologists and critical race theorists as socially constructed. Racial vacillation as a concept suggests this by arguing that race changes over time.[2] Not only does race change, but the way oppressed people resist white supremacy changes, too.[3] Additionally, racial categories change due to political and scientific developments, and these vacillations have been recorded in U.S. censuses.[4]

The fluidity of race can be examined through the lens of economic and market dynamics.[5] In capitalist societies, economic imperatives often dictate social structures and hierarchies, including racial categorizations. For instance, during periods of labor shortage, racial boundaries may become more permeable as the market demands a more diverse workforce. Conversely, during economic downturns or competition for resources, racial categories may be more rigidly enforced to protect the interests of the dominant group. This is reflective of the concept of racial capitalism, which suggests that economic systems are inherently racialized and that racial categories are manipulated to sustain economic exploitation.

References

  1. Zatre, Vernon (2024-08-03). "Jewish Raciality". Zatre. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  2. Seixas, Noah S. (2017). "When Does Race Matter?". Annals of Work Exposures and Health. pp. 1035–1036. doi:10.1093/annweh/wxx088. PMID 29136421. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  3. Andersen, ML (2010). "The nexus of race and gender: Parallels, linkages, and divergences in race and gender studies". The SAGE Handbook of Race and Ethnic Studies: 166–187. doi:10.4135/9781446200902.n9. ISBN 978-0-7619-4220-7.
  4. Brown, Anna (2020-02-25). "The changing categories the U.S. census has used to measure race". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  5. Baluran, Darwin A. (April 2023). "Differential Racialization and Police Interactions among Young Adults of Asian Descent". Sociology of Race and Ethnicity. 9 (2): 220–234. doi:10.1177/23326492221125121. ISSN 2332-6492.

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