Gary,

Certainly the notion of 'race' as a biological concept has not been entirely abandoned (neither has slavery, as we have recently seen), but it has been discredited.

I maintain my assertion that biological notions of 'race' have generally been used to offer pseudo-scientific justifications for social and political constructions. I have not put 'the cart before the horse', the concept of 'race' as a classificatory system stemmed from racist society, not the other way around.

Thanks for the link to the interesting and informative website.

For the current view of the American Anthropological Association click here to view a statement on the matter published on their website.

Having said this I want to make clear, what I'm sure Gary T recognises, that I intend my comments as part of an academic discussion not a personal feud. Gary and I clearly agree on the most crucial issue here, that racism is abhorrent.

Brian