What is Race?

Most people THINK they know their own ideas about race and that they could say what they consider race.  However, when actually faced with this question confusion arises.  Is race just a skin color? Is it physical traits? Is it culture?  Birthplace? Genetics? What IS race? It is hard to say. For many years, it was strongly believed that people in certain "races" were genetically similar.  It was thought that one race would have an advantage over another because of a difference in chromosomes.  Blacks were said to have an extra muscle in their legs which made them better athletes, but at the same time, they were said to be diseased and unhealthy.  These genetic ideas about race are very inaccurate.  In fact, genetic variation is much higher (85%) within a race.  Race is simply a social idea.  Stereotypes are created about people who fall under socially-invented "races."  People are placed in categories by skin color, body form, eye shape, hair type, and other physical characteristics.  Walking on a street, a person could not just look at someone and know their personality exactly and what kind of person they are.  However, people are automatically stereotyped and judged based on their physical traits.  People try to connect race to genetics and make it into a scientific idea.  Searches continue for genetic similarities in specific "races" so that there will be an excuse for this categorizing.  For me, race is a judgmental, stereotypical and social idea.  What is race for you?