the historiography of race

The historiography of race examines how historians have understood, interpreted, and studied race over time. It reveals shifts from early views that often ignored or justified racial differences, to 20th-century analyses recognizing race as a social construct with real impacts. Contemporary scholarship emphasizes the ways race shapes history through power, inequality, and identity, while also acknowledging diverse perspectives and debates. Overall, it reflects how ideas about race have evolved and how they continue to influence historical understanding and societal structures.