Final answer:
Prior to the work of theorists like W. E. B. Du Bois, it was believed that racial inferiority or superiority was due to biological differences. Du Bois’s research highlighted that race and social inequalities are socially constructed, not biologically determined.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to the work of theorists like W. E. B. Du Bois, it was believed that the inferiority or superiority of certain races was the result of biological differences between groups of people. W. E. B. Du Bois, among others, challenged this notion, demonstrating through his research that many social inequalities, like those of class and race, were not based on inherent biological differences but were instead socially constructed. This perspective was supported by the social construction of race, indicating that race is not biologically identifiable.
Additionally, Du Bois contributed to the understanding of race in America by introducing the concept of the "color line" and refuting the then-prevailing idea that African Americans were biologically predisposed for certain types of labor. His work advocated that the disparate treatment and the assumed differences in capability were rooted in social and economic systems, rather than in biology. The theorist also critiqued practices such as eugenics and Social Darwinism that attempted to justify racist ideologies through pseudoscience.
There has been substantial evidence to refute these biological claims about race, demonstrating that differences in intelligence measures like IQ are influenced by factors such as access to education, rather than being grounded in genetics. Du Bois's work helped pave the way for a deeper understanding of the cultural and societal origins of race, influencing future research and thinking in anthropology, sociology, and beyond. His work was an important step in moving toward a more equitable society where individuals are not judged by the color of their skin but by their capabilities and achievements.