Day 1 Inventing Race
Day 1 Inventing Race
Hello,

For this year's 21-Day Challenge, we're going back to the beginning. What even is race? When and how was it invented? What does it mean when people say, 'race is a myth"? Before we dive into this work, we encourage you to take a moment to download your reflection log, join our Facebook group, and most importantly, be open to change. It is first by transforming ourselves that we will transform the world. 

Today's topic centers around the invention of race. Contemporary scholars agree that "race" was a recent invention, a folk idea, not a product of scientific research and discovery. Race and its ideology about human differences arose out of the context of African slavery. Today's Challenge opportunities will take a closer look at how "race" came to be.  
Read this brief article by Audrey Smedley, originally published in Anthropology Newsletter in 1997, from PBS discussing a brief history of the invention of race, including its origins as a folk idea, used as justification for the enslavement of Africans.
Watch this short video from PBS discussing the origins of race in the United States, including the belief that certain visible characteristics were signifiers of race and how certain groups that we categorized as "non-white" were reclassified as white.
Explore this collection of resources from the National Museum of African American History and Culture discussing the history of race and the shift in meaning regarding the term "race," which was used to identify groups of people with kinship or group connection to the modern-day use of the term "race."
Listen to this historical documentary from The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University that tells the story of the construction of race and racism as we live with them today. 
There are so many ways to engage in this year's 21-Day Challenge, featuring new and improved tools to help you reflect, discuss, and make connections through the Challenge. Check them out, and don't forget to use #YWCAEquityChallenge!
Whether it's your roller derby league or coworkers, there's power in group learning. Participate as a group or business and get tools to help you learn. You can also get your logo on the 21-Day Challenge page if you sign up as a group before June 16th.
YWCA Utah is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Since 1906 YWCA Utah has been a voice for women, a force for change, and a place for hope as the largest family violence service provider and home of several programs to empower women and eliminate racism. Our enduring belief is that better lives for women—all women—will lead to stronger families and communities.