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What If Race Was For Real For Real Real? How I Would Teach It

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Abstract

Race may be a real entity when defined taxonomically without hierarchy as variation below the species level among groups within said species capable of interbreeding even though genetically distinct. This contradicts prevailing thinking about race as not real, only socially constructed. The phylogenetic tree is the lynchpin as it outlines the appearances of genetically distinct human groups—99% shared genomic template notwithstanding. Among the sapiens the de-pigmentation mutation from black Grimaldi to white Cro-Magnon as occurred in phylogeny as an explanation for race trumps ancestry/genetic population groups as an argument against race when so defined. Foundational facts of this argument along with major ramifications for social living—including indigeneity as a concept—should be taught age appropriately at all grade levels up through post-graduate.

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Correspondence to Daudi Ajani ya Azibo.

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Azibo, D.A.y. What If Race Was For Real For Real Real? How I Would Teach It. J Afr Am St 27, 77–91 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-023-09616-7

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