--- title: The Myth of Race description: "Our white 15-year-old came home from school last week, sharing that they’d learned that there are no biological differences based on race. Yes, leaders and learners: race is a social construct." image: https://l3catalystgroup.com/hubfs/Blogs/020823%20-%20Deanna%20Blog%20Post%20Header%20Image.png --- [Skip to main content](https://l3catalystgroup.com/blog/the-myth-of-race#main) [![L3 Catalyst Group](https://l3catalystgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo/L3%20Catalyst%20Group%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal.png?width=250&height=72&name=L3%20Catalyst%20Group%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal.png) ![L3 Catalyst Group](https://l3catalystgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo/L3%20Catalyst%20Group%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal.png?width=250&height=72&name=L3%20Catalyst%20Group%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal.png) ![L3 Catalyst Group](https://l3catalystgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo/L3%20Catalyst%20Group%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal.png?width=250&height=72&name=L3%20Catalyst%20Group%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal.png) ![L3 Catalyst Group](https://l3catalystgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo/L3%20Catalyst%20Group%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal.png?width=250&height=72&name=L3%20Catalyst%20Group%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal.png)](https://l3catalystgroup.com) - [How Can We Help?](https://l3catalystgroup.com/how-can-we-help) - [About](https://l3catalystgroup.com/about) - Show submenu for Resources Resources - [Blog](https://l3catalystgroup.com/blog) - [Events](https://l3catalystgroup.com/events) - [Testimonials](https://l3catalystgroup.com/#testimonials) - [FAQ](https://l3catalystgroup.com/faq) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [How Can We Help?](https://l3catalystgroup.com/how-can-we-help) - [About](https://l3catalystgroup.com/about) - Show submenu for Resources Resources - Resources - [Blog](https://l3catalystgroup.com/blog) - [Events](https://l3catalystgroup.com/events) - [Testimonials](https://l3catalystgroup.com/#testimonials) - [FAQ](https://l3catalystgroup.com/faq) - Search - [Get in Touch](https://l3catalystgroup.com/contact) [Get in Touch](https://l3catalystgroup.com/contact) Search # The Myth of Race ![Dee (Deanna) Rolffs (they/them)](https://l3catalystgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FG0A6703.jpg?width=50&height=50&name=FG0A6703.jpg) by [Dee (Deanna) Rolffs (they/them)](https://l3catalystgroup.com/blog/author/dee-rolffs) February 08, 2023 *![Quick Note](https://l3catalystgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Quick%20Note-Aug-12-2023-10-01-11-4445-PM.png?width=325&name=Quick%20Note-Aug-12-2023-10-01-11-4445-PM.png)* The Myth of Race Our white 15-year-old has been raised in a household where we frequently discuss race, racial equity, and racial dynamics. They came home from school last week, energized to talk about what they'd learned: there are no biological differences based on race. Serious. Parenting. Fail. Well...I’m grateful they learned it at school! Yes, race is a social construct.  Merriam-Webster defines a [social construct](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20construct) as an idea created and accepted by the people in a society. What does race really mean? How static or flexible is it? Why was it defined? Who benefitted? What impact does it have? You might be surprised. This video is a succinct, data-packed resource.   [![](https://l3catalystgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bvFMNnbbmKqTXtn6qIgqFMYGaWzMIAvS5LdkZpgamZfsENyCg2PJy9hDG2Ej7w9tn4vQbNmLPSTNx8oSN8cQTcPifJG3pIOren6P9SHT-CV4XIgQmuA-1qwrQyY0_arnbrxgQNQ0zihYwdBNFh0LMIk.png?width=462&height=258&name=bvFMNnbbmKqTXtn6qIgqFMYGaWzMIAvS5LdkZpgamZfsENyCg2PJy9hDG2Ej7w9tn4vQbNmLPSTNx8oSN8cQTcPifJG3pIOren6P9SHT-CV4XIgQmuA-1qwrQyY0_arnbrxgQNQ0zihYwdBNFh0LMIk.png)](https://youtu.be/VnfKgffCZ7U) While hierarchy based on race was constructed socially, dispirate outcomes by race are evident in every social system including health, education, and criminal justice. It has no biological basis, yet is a social determinant of health and life outcomes. [Jenée Desmond-Harris](mailto:jenee.desmondharris@voxmedia.com) provides us with [11 ways race isn’t real](https://www.vox.com/2014/10/10/6943461/race-social-construct-origins-census). Although a person’s race results in vastly different lived experiences, 2023 is not too late to learn. Here are a couple of examples from their article: Americans embraced the idea of race to make slavery feel okay.  The way we legally define different races in America can change on a whim — and it has. You can’t tell by looking at someone what box they check or how they identify. DNA tests can’t measure it \[race\]. Why do you think legislatures and school boards across the United States are outlawing, banning, and defunding talking about race and racial inequity? How do you acknowledge how your race affects your life, relationships, and organizations? Share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out via email: [deannar@designgroupintl.com](mailto:deannar@designgroupintl.com) to connect. Fellow leaders and learners, I wish you courage and resilience for the journey. ![Deanna Signature](https://l3catalystgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Deanna%20Signature-Aug-12-2023-10-02-39-7536-PM.png?width=154&name=Deanna%20Signature-Aug-12-2023-10-02-39-7536-PM.png) ###### Tags: [race,](https://l3catalystgroup.com/blog/tag/race) [social construct,](https://l3catalystgroup.com/blog/tag/social-construct) [Quick Note](https://l3catalystgroup.com/blog/tag/quick-note) ![Dee (Deanna) Rolffs (they/them)](https://l3catalystgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FG0A6703.jpg?width=50&height=50&name=FG0A6703.jpg) Post by [Dee (Deanna) Rolffs (they/them)](https://l3catalystgroup.com/blog/author/dee-rolffs) February 8, 2023 Dee (Deanna) Rolffs (they/them), Owner & Principal Consultant at L3 Catalyst Group, is a coach, strategist, facilitator, and change agent applying the Process Consulting approach with anti-oppression and liberatory frameworks. Specializing in crisis and change leadership, they support brave and badass leaders and teams illuminate underlying issues, infuse learning, envision a just future, and walk a transformational path forward. Dee is committed to equitable systemic outcomes, healthy humans, and thriving teams. Dee serves on the board of their local Pride Center, is messily learning to practice meditation, and is always up for truth telling about oppression and living life in liberatory joy. [Follow me on my website](https://l3catalystgroup.com/) [Follow me on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/L3CatalystGroup) [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannarolffs/) ### Related Articles ##### [![Leadership + White Supremacy Culture’s Characteristics (An Introduction)](https://l3catalystgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/122822%20-%20Deanna%20Blog%20Post%20Header%20Image.png?width=520&height=294&name=122822%20-%20Deanna%20Blog%20Post%20Header%20Image.png) White Supremacy Culture • December 28, 2022 Leadership + White Supremacy Culture’s Characteristics (An Introduction) 8 min read](https://l3catalystgroup.com/blog/leadership-white-supremacy-cultures-characteristics-an-introduction) ##### [![What are you learning about your learning? 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