The myth of race, the paucity of language

[BigV]

Race, what is race?

Is it a physical characteristic? Is it the sum of one's ancestors? How many ancestors? Is it a geographical assignment? Is it culture? Is it atomic or can it be a compound? Is it changeable? When is it assigned? Is it an individual's trait or the trait of groups? Is there a continuum? Is it important? Is it a choice?

There's a story in the news lately about a woman, recently the head of the Spokane chapter of the NAACP, now resigned, who has described herself as black. Her parents have recently "outed" her on national television as white. She has said many things, the most recent remark on this topic "I identify as black."

What are your questions about race? What are the things you're sure of about race? What is there about race that you've changed your mind about?