Final answer:
The statement is true: race is a social construct, not a biological one, created and maintained by societal consensus and the dominant group. This classification has significant social implications, affecting identity, power dynamics, and access to resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that race is not a biological construct but rather a social construct created by the dominant group is true. Race has historically been used to categorize people based on physical traits, yet from a scientific perspective, there is no clear biological foundation for racial divisions.
Modern scholarship from organizations like the American Association of Anthropologists and the American Sociological Association supports the idea that race is a social rather than biological category. This construct is powerful as it shapes society, influencing all from individual identities to the structure of societal institutions, and can often lead to discrimination and inequality.
Although race as a biological concept has been debunked, it continues to exist as a social reality with tangible impacts. These include stereotypes, the creation of subordinate groups, and various forms of privilege for those within the dominant group. Recognizing the social construction of race is crucial in understanding and addressing social inequalities.