Racial Formation Theory (Michael Omi and Howard Winant)

Racial Formation Theory, developed by Michael Omi and Howard Winant, suggests that race is a social construct shaped by historical, political, and cultural contexts. It posits that what we understand as racial categories and their significance are created and continuously reshaped through social processes, policies, and cultural practices. Essentially, race is not biologically fixed but fluid, with meaning and importance changing over time based on societal influences. This theory highlights how race influences identity, power, and social structures, emphasizing that racial meaning is actively constructed and reconstructed within society.