What is the primary assertion of racial formation theory?

The primary assertion of racial formation theory is that race is a social construct with no genetic basis. This theory emphasizes that racial categories are not rooted in inherent biological differences but are instead shaped by social, political, and historical contexts. It highlights how society categorizes people based on perceived physical characteristics and how these categories influence people's experiences and societal structures.

Racial formation theory argues that race is not a fixed, objective reality but instead is malleable and continuously constructed and reconstructed through social processes. This perspective allows for a deeper understanding of how racial identities evolve and how they interact with issues of power, inequality, and social change. By recognizing race as a social construct, the theory challenges traditional views that attribute racial differences to biological factors, thereby shifting the focus to the systemic and structural nature of racism and the implications it has for individuals and society as a whole.