Explain what is meant by "race." what does it mean to say that race is socially constructed?

Race is not a real thing. I am Caucasian in part because my skin color is light, my eyes are blue, my facial features are small, and my hair is blonde. My son (adopted) on the other hand has medium brown skin, dark brown eyes, brown coarse hair, and asian and African features. What is he?

When most people see him with me and know he is my son, they assume he is biracial. Some think his father must be Asian others Black. When I say he is Black people are incredulous. Black people look at him and then they say - oh OK now I see it. Caucasian people say- are you sure he's not mixed.

In a way I am quite sure he is "mixed" or biracial - I doubt that everyone of his direct ancestors were Black, but they might have been. His mother and father both identified themselves as Black.

Race is not something that is an exact thing. It is a social construct. It is a reflection of who you are and what you perceive. So when a Caucasian person sees my darker skinned child they make assumptions (and construct their truth) on the basis of what they see and what they know to be true. And most of the time they are wrong. Hope this helps!!