The name is absent

у* ^l-" '4

18

Isajiw (1974:122) further clarifies the notion of boundary.

Ethnicity is the result of a double boundary, a
boundary from within, maintained by the socialization
process, and a boundary from without established by
the process of intergroup relations ... the basic
differences lies in the external boundaries. It is
not so much a matter of faster or slower assimilation
or non-assimilation. More significantly it is a
matter of how the various ethnic groups are perceived
and identified by the power-holding, policy-making
and influence-exerting bodies of the two societies.

2.32 Race and identity

Race is'defined (Reading, 1977:168) as a class of population
based on genetic criteria.

McConnochie (1973:5-6) distinguishes between the cultural
definition, of race (which he suggests is more appropriately a
definition of ethnicity), and biological definitions based on genetic
criteria and social definitions of race.

Banton and Harwood (1975) show that modem popular use of
race is one not referring to genetic characteristics, used in a
scientific sense, but rather is a concept encapsulating beliefs
about race used by relatively powerful groups to exclude or
demarcate others.

McConnochie (1973:6) notes

For the purpose of most social scientists
concerned with race relations, the term ’race*
is used to refer to groups which are classified
by a referent group as belonging to some out -
group, characterised by ethnic or cultural
uniqueness and perceived biological traits.
This usage does not presume the reality of
either of these sets of traits but rather the
reality of the reference group’s perceptions.

Thus, as with concept of ethnic identity, racial identity
also may be seen within the context of boundary maintenance, and
may be seen as a social construct.

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