Passing Strange Book Review
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Concept of race as a biological category:
Race has always been a way of classifying humans and set them apart from each other. Everyone has their own view and idea on race. Some people view it as a sociological aspect, and others have a biological view on race. One thing is for certain, there is a big difference between the two. Someone looks at race through a sociological view most likely evaluates and tests their theories, and someone who looks at it in a biological way studies the genetics of a human.
The race of a human is normally distinguished by their physical appearance, such as: hair type, skin color and etc. Race can also be classified by nationality, religion, and language. The idea of race has grown rapidly in American society. Because race has become such a big idea and sometimes an issue in American society, it can either have a positive or negative reaction on a person, depending on their race. The Caucasian race in America is very well known for being the “dominant race”. This is an idea that the Caucasian race is superior to all other races. Being the dominant race also leads you to have what is known as “white privilege”. White privilege is a theory that believes most of inequalities and advantages are in favor of the Caucasian race, and normally the opposite for the people of color. White privilege can also be considered as advantages given to the Caucasian and European people that werent necessarily earned the right way and is often unrecognized by the people it benefits. Inequality is a long lasting issue in American society between Whites and the Non-whites.
Social class distinctions:
Social class is classified into three different groups in American society, such as lower, middle, and upper class. The main character in the book Clarence King graduated from Yale with a Ph.B. in chemistry. In the book Clarence King told his wife, Ada, that he was a Pullman porter, when in reality he wasnt. At the time, being a Pullman porter wouldve brought home enough money to support him, his wife, and his family, but it wouldve required long hours and they wouldnt have been wealthy. His family wouldve most likely been classified as lower class. It was harder for African Americans to become wealthy back then compared to todays society. While Clarence was supposed to be at work instead he would continue his other regular everyday life as an explorer and geologist. Because of his work as an explorer and geologist I assume he was pretty wealthy without Ada knowing.
The phenomenon of passing (who do/did people pass and the physical implications)
What was Sandweiss hypothesis as to why Clarence King passed?
The book “Passing Strange” by Martha A. Sandweiss tells a story