what is race?

I had one really big question that I wanted to ask the class today but we never really had the chance for me to ask it. Anyway, my question was... why do we act the way we do? do we act in the ways of our "race" because society tells us that is how we are supposed to act? or do we act in that manner because those are traits that are passed down from generation to generation? or is it because we actually choose to act like that?

I was really curious to hear other people's views on it because I read the article and I know that race is socially constructed but it never really went into detail on our chosen actions. I think part of thought process on our actions defintily has to deal with outside views on us. It is so much easier to just try and fit in instead of trying to go against the grain. If someone says I should act this way and I see other people around me acting that way, why wouldn't I want to be like them? These actions can be anywhere from education choices, to choices of dress, speech, the way we walk, or the way we present ourselves. I know stereotypes exist and they are hard to eliminate, but for one example let me use one of the stereotypes. There is a stereotype that asians are supposed to be really smart especially in math and science. Many of them are but is that because they strive that way because them, themselves, want to be at the top of the class or are they that way because society tells them they should be that way. Or is it there parents and years of that thinking that leads to those actions.

I think doing something for your own benefit or choice is one of the last things thought of when trying to decide on a course of action. I think first you think about society and what your peers are doing and what they will say or think. Then comes family and generations of actions. Then finally you act on what you want to do. There are so many outside forces that play into account that it is hard to totally ignore them and to focus on yourself and only yourself. It is so much easier to listen to others and to do waht others say for the chance of being liked than it is to do your own thing. I will leave you with this though... We try to teach to embrace differences but then why is it so hard to be different. Why do want to desperately to be the same as everyone else, to fit it?