Repositioning, not replacing, race: the case for concepts of descent-based difference

In this response to the very thoughtful critiques of our book, An Ugly Word: Rethinking Race in Italy and the United States, we advocate for a comparative sociological examination of race that, while acknowledging and documenting its enduring centrality, also explores alternative notions of ancestry-based distinction. The framework that we propose for examining the full range of such “concepts of descent-based difference,” rather than obscuring social scientists’ comprehension of the enduring significance of whiteness or disregarding the role of race as a socio-political construct, serves to broaden and systematize our analysis. It facilitates a nuanced exploration of the perception and categorization of diverse groups in varied societies worldwide. We are also grateful for the critics' suggestions for further exploring our “race-conscious versus race-skeptic” binary and the public relevance of our research.