Racial formation theory posits that race is a fixed biological characteristic that remains unchanged over time.

Racial formation theory actually suggests that race is not a fixed biological characteristic but rather a social and historical concept that changes over time. This means that how we understand race can shift based on cultural, political, and economic factors. For example, in the United States, the categories of race have evolved, with different groups being recognized at different times, like how people of Irish or Italian descent were once seen as non-white but are now often considered white. The theory emphasizes that race is shaped by social processes and interactions, rather than being strictly about biology. So, instead of seeing race as something unchanging, we understand it as a dynamic part of society that reflects our histories and experiences.