To complete this discussion, you will first need to watch the 50-minute film, “The Difference Between Us.”
“The Difference Between Us” is Part I of the film series, Race: The Power of an Illusion. It examines how recent scientific discoveries have toppled the concept of biological race. The program follows a dozen diverse students who sequence and compare their own DNA. They discover, to their surprise, that their closest genetic matches are as likely to be with people from other “races” as their own. The episode helps us understand why it doesn’t make scientific or genetic sense to sort people into biological races, as it dismantles our most basic myths about race, including natural superiority and inferiority.
Before you watch the video, answer this question on a Word document:
1. Imagine you are in a room full of Whites, Asians, Hispanics, Blacks, American Indians, and Pacific Islanders. Which group do you think you will share the most genetic similarity with?
Follow the instructions to access the video here.
As you watch the film, pay close attention to the genetics experiment that the students participate in, especially the outcome of the experiment.
Once you have finished the film, use at least 300 words to respond to the discussion questions below:
1. Now that you have seen the film, has your answer to the underlined question above changed? Why or why not? Explain.
2. In the film, the anthropologist Alan Goodman says, “to understand why the idea of race is a biological myth requires a major paradigm shift.” Do you agree? Did the film present anything that shifted your thinking in a major way? If so, what? Is it difficult to make this shift? Why? Explain.
Instructions
Your first post to the discussion thread must contain your original response to the prompt. If not, you will be penalized for cheating.
Bold or underline sociological concepts/theories.
Proofread for spelling, grammar, and punctuation before you submit.
Provide at least 1 in-text citation from the film, video lecture or textbook,
Avoid plagiarizing