Statement on Race

work by Montagu

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July 14, 2026

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Ashley Montagu's "Statement on Race" (1950) argues that race is a social construct, not a biological reality. This work, later published as Statement on Race (1951), challenged the prevailing notions of "scientific racism" which falsely posited inherent biological differences and hierarchies among human groups.12

Scientific racism, prevalent from the 17th to early 20th centuries, used pseudoscientific methods to justify colonial dominance and slavery. However, 20th-century anthropological and genetic studies, notably by Franz Boas, debunked these claims, showing that physical characteristics vary and are influenced by environment, not solely genetics. Modern scholarship confirms that race is a cultural invention, not a biological fact.234

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Ashley Montagu
…this and subsequent versions as Statement on Race (1951; rev. ed., 1972). Montagu also wrote on such varied topics as human evolution, culture, and child care, and possibly his most influential work is The Natural Superiority of Women (1953). In 1999 a heavily revised edition of the book was published.…
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…this and subsequent versions as Statement on Race (1951; rev. ed., 1972). Montagu also wrote on such varied topics as human evolution, culture, and child care, and possibly his most influential work is The Natural Superiority of Women (1953). In 1999 a heavily revised edition of the book was published.…
Read More