What is race?

What is race? It's only a social construction. However, in America it is a social construction that affects the daily lives of millions of our citizens. The majority Caucasian would have few thoughts about racial oppression, racial prejudice, or racism in this country. That's where I come in as a white, Christian, middle-class female. Racism is currently affecting the lives of the African American population in our nation? Racism is perpetuated by people like me? Racism is creating an underlying rift in our nation? Other whites need to ask themselves these types of questions.