Race (human Classification) - Historical Origins of Racial Classification

Historical Origins of Racial Classification

See also: Historical definitions of race

Groups of humans have probably always identified themselves as distinct from other groups, but such differences have not always been understood to be natural, immutable and global. These features are the distinguishing features of how the concept of race is used today.

The word "race" was originally used to refer to any nations or ethnic groups. Marco Polo in his 13th-century travels, for example, describes the Persian race—the current concept of "race" dates back only to the 17th century.

Read more about this topic:  Race (human Classification)

Famous quotes containing the words historical, origins and/or racial:

    “Whether considered as a doctrine, or as an historical fact, or as a movemement, socialism, if it really remains socialism, cannot be brought into harmony with the dogmas of the Catholic church.... Religious socialism, Christian socialism, are expressions implying a contradiction in terms.”
    —Pius XI [Achille Ratti] (1857–1939)

    “The origins of clothing are not practical. They are mystical and erotic. The primitive man in the wolf-pelt was not keeping dry; he was saying: “Look what I killed. Aren’t I the best?””
    —Katharine Hamnett (b. 1948)

    “... all Americans are the prisoners of racial prejudice.”
    —Shirley Chisholm (b. 1924)