What's Real about Race?: Untangling Science, Genetics, and Society (A Norton Short‪)‬

A paradigm-shifting tour of genetics and identity arguing that race is at once a biological fiction and a social reality.

Biologically, race does not exist. But in our social world, it remains decidedly important. Mainstream scientists embrace these truths, yet misinformation about human variation and genetics persists in our society. What is the true relationship between the two? And how should we talk about identity in science and medicine?

In deeply researched, masterful prose, sociologist Dr. Rina Bliss guides us through the invention and evolution of the concept. She reveals how the myth of distinct, biological races endures in medicine, science, and social policy—warping our understanding of complex topics like intelligence, disease susceptibility, and behavior. Even well-intentioned researchers add to the confusion by introducing racial analysis in contexts where it doesn’t belong, resulting in misleading reports that amplify harmful assumptions and ignore the social forces at work. At a time when misinformation about our bodies and identities is dangerously prevalent, Bliss unmasks what’s truly real about race: namely, racism’s impact on our bodies and lives.