HLTHAGE 2GG3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Drapetomania, Reductionism, Institutional Racism
11 Mar 2019
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Document Summary
We use phenotypic feature to determine race, but it has no meaning within the whole of an organism. Biological differences within groups can be greater than differences between groups. Physical features imagined as indicative of race across racial groups. There is no validity to the term race. Race is constructed relationally, benefitting some, degrading others. Race is a social thing that we perform. Racialized people - others have taken the construct of race and put it upon them. Western psy-disciplines largely structures along lines that reflect entrenchment of certain notions: These cultural norms have become the basis by which we understand human nature individualism : self-centeredness, self-consciousness; reductionism. In theory, good mental health is a person who works towards self improvement. Our psychological lives involve a lot of thinking of ourselves. Those who define well being in other terms - collectively, community-focused - do not necessarily fit into this system.
