Question

Nick has always considered himself to be black. His parents consider themselves to be black. He grew up in a primarily African-American neighborhood, is a member of the Black Student Union, and he happens to be a big fan of the programming on the cable channel BET (Black Entertainment Television). On a whim he submits a DNA sample to the company "23 And Me" to have his genome sequenced. The report he receives informs him that the majority of his population-specific DNA markers indicate European rather than African ancestry. Nick is surprised. "Wow," he says, "I guess I am not black, after all. I guess I had better quit the Black Student Union and start watching different television programs." What is wrong with Nick's logic?

Answer 1

Nick's belief that he should change his identity based on DNA results is flawed, as racial identity is a socio-cultural construct not solely defined by genetics. His lived experience and community connections carry more weight in his racial identity than the genetic markers indicating European ancestry.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nick's logic is flawed because race is not determined solely by genetic ancestry. Race is a complex construct that involves historical, cultural, and social factors. In many societies, including the United States, race has been shaped by historical contexts and societal norms rather than strictly by biology. Genetic markers are not the sole determinant of racial identity, meaning that having European DNA does not negate Nick's identification as black. Throughout history, people of mixed ancestry have often been categorized by society based on physical appearance and cultural affiliation rather than genetic makeup. Additionally, DNA tests providing percentages of ancestry can lead to misconceptions about race and identity.

The concept of race has evolved, and the 'one drop' rule historically enforced in the United States as part of 'blood laws' indicated that any African ancestry often resulted in individuals being classified as black, regardless of genetics. As a result, Nick's cultural identification and community affiliation hold more weight in his social identity than the DNA test results. Notions of race and ethnicity are socio-cultural constructs that have historically been used to categorize and sometimes marginalize groups of people within societies. Well-known figures like Barack Obama and Tiger Woods are examples of how society influences racial identification.

Biological anthropologists and geneticists have argued that the concept of race is not scientifically valid, given that only a small number of genetic markers are associated with external characteristics typically tied to racial categories. Hence, Nick's association with the Black Student Union and his preference for programming on BET reflects his lived experience and cultural identity, which are not invalidated by his genetic ancestry.