Question

Sociologists and race theorists today make a confusing claim. "Race is not real, but it is real in the consequences of the belief in race. Race organizes the distribution of resources, power and life chances."

Can you explain what this means so that someone who has not read our materials understands? Please do not use quotes. Use your own words and examples.

Answer 1

In actual sense, the term race does not exist still the belief in a race brings the consequences in real. The race helps in the distribution of resources, power as well as status. It enabled the society to focus on an equitable distribution of resources and wealth. But in an actual sense race does not exist. All these myths and beliefs that are formed for the better being of life.
They created and established a system, also they need men to do it who belonged to various ethnic groups. The concept of race isn't real at all.
For example, in ancient India, there was a system of "Chathurvarnya". People were divided into various races and was given some dedicated jobs. The noble ones did praying and fighting with status, while some were doing labors. All these distributions of power and resources were organized as per the race. These were the consequences of believing in the race. But in reality, it is only a myth that established a hard root in society. That is how I would like to explain about the confusing claim they have came with.