India S. Colon
ETH/125 Cultural Diversity
July 14, 2010
David N. DiBari MCJ
Abstract
Racial and ethnic groups have similar meanings according to the readings however there are very distinct characteristics to them as well. According to Schaefer (2006) “The term racial group is reserved for minorities and the corresponding majorities that are socially set apart because of obvious physical differences” (p. 7). Simply put, racial groups focus on physical and more obvious characteristics of a person. For example, a persons skin color, nose, bone structure, all serve as physical characteristics. According to Schaefer (2006) “Ethnic groups are groups set apart because of their national origin or distinctive cultural patterns” (p. 7). Schaefer (2006) Key characteristics are identified from the dominant group from it’s cultural differences, such as language, attitudes toward marriage and parenting, food habits, and even dress and appearance. The definition of race doesn’t always make complete sense to me because it seems race is like saying asking, “What type of species are you?” I feel as though we are all human and of the same race. It’s our ethnicity that defines us. In the United States these concepts appear to be of great importance. To define oneself in such a large nation of ethnicities almost seems like needed task. US societies seem to adopt the thought that one needs to define their race and ethnicity. I often think it shouldn’t matter how people identify me, but it’s not so simple to walk with out being put into a category. Either way, we are just one big melting pot. According to Schaefer (2006) “Melting pot is a diverse racial or ethnic groups form a new creation, a new cultural entity” (p. 20). In the US society to identify oneself is to succeed or determine your level of success at different levels. Society has identified specifics groups in dominant verses the subordinate, wealth class such as low verses medium class families. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to explain why U.S. society finds race and ethnicity important, but I simply think it’s because those who live in the US come from so many different places through the globe that some race or ethnic identity is naturally imbedded into ones mind.
References
Schaefer, R. T. (2006). Understanding Race and Ethnicity. Race and Ethnicity, (Tenth Edition), 31.
References: Schaefer, R. T. (2006). Understanding Race and Ethnicity. Race and Ethnicity, (Tenth Edition), 31.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Is it a group of people that look alike? A racial group is solely reliant on physical characteristics, it defies to be a social construct of people with similar distinct physical characteristics. This theory contradicts the war between the Germans and Jewish as there is no significant difference in race. A famous writer who goes by the name of H.G Wells quotes "Our true nationality is mankind". Are we all born the equal? Yes, we are born equal but not all the same, not by a long chalk. Being born of equal respect and in most cases, capability, but this does not classify the human race as all equal. Many characteristics set us apart from each other, such as face, hair, height etc. We could be considered same if we inherit similar characteristics, but no 2 individuals are both with a xerox copy of the exact same body parts, personality, nationality…
- 733 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
o If you could resolve any inequities within your community, what do you change? How and why?…
- 2155 Words
- 9 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Race is defined as a group that is socially set apart because of obvious physical differences, such as skin, eye and hair color or texture and even bone structure. Physical characteristics of Caucasians are lighter shin with a thin nose and lips; their hair is usually straight or has a slight wavy. While African American usually has darker skin, thick and curly hair and fuller nose and lips.…
- 373 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The ethnicity of a person is shown by where a person is from and their culture and their language. A person that is called “black” does not show how a person has ethnicity but if a person had parents from a country in Africa and was born in the same country in Africa and learned about the culture and language that makes a person ethnic. When people say a person is generally white or black it does not show their ethnicity. It shows lack of understanding of where a person is actually from and if they know their ethnicity or not. The second epiphenomena of race that Omi and Winant stated is nation. The nation shows how people who are not together in the world actually come together to become a nation. People do this to try and come together with common elements of culture, language or history to inhabit a territory or country. Although these people come together, it does not mean that they agree on these same views. The last epiphenomena of race that Omi and Winant stated is Class. Class is important because from Karl Marx’s idea on class to now, class is still in the world today. In America, there are different classes such as Upper class, upper middle class, middle class, lower middle class and lower class. Depending on what job a person has and sometimes what nationality a person is, it categorizes them into the class system. The system is set up so that the people that…
- 1120 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Racial groups are reserved for minority and the corresponding majorities that are socially set apart because of obvious physical differences. Skin color is the most common to set these groups apart. People often see differences and geographic origins and shared cultures as weakness’s and have many meaning to many people. In the early 18nth, and 19nth century’s the interactions have been mostly negative, more likely now days they are more neutral…
- 523 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
11. The term race has been used to categorize people on the basis of physical differences, particularly outward appearance. The term ethnic groups are people whose ancestors were born in the same region and who often share a language, culture, and religion.…
- 584 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
References: Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.…
- 1580 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
First we discuss the concept of race and ethnicity. There is a large difference between race and ethnicity. Mostly people mix these both concepts. These concepts are interrelated but not the same concepts.…
- 151 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Schaefer, R. T. (2011). Racial and ethnic groups (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.…
- 928 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
5. List three cities where Hispanics are concentrated and give the percentage of population they make up in these cities:…
- 344 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The distinction between race and ethnicity is important because ethnicity can be displayed or hidden whereas racial identities are always displayed. Race and ethnicity are important in the field of sociology and have great role in every day human interactions.…
- 229 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Racial grouping and categories can be effective and not effective. In the article “Racial Formation in the United States” by Michael Omi and Howard Winant they discuss their views of racial groups in the U.S and their effectiveness on people. In the article “How Jews Became White Folks and What That Says about Race in America” by Karen Brodkin she discusses how in the past time Jews were considered something other than white, but now they are considered as very much white. Brodkin’s article supports Omi and Winant by addressing the same issues in a more detailed and specific way, they both talk about these racial categories and how it affects certain individuals within racially diverse societies, they talk about education and how the government controls what race you are and how the government is deeply involved.…
- 1273 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
Using material from item A and elsewhere assess the claim that ethnic differences in educational achievement are primarily the result of school factors.…
- 641 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Africans were use as slaves because of the used of economic reasons. Even though that racism justify the harsh treatment of slaves owner, this do not change the fact Africans are incident people. I believe economic reasons put Africans in a slave position.…
- 379 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
When I hear the word “race”, the first thing that I think of is a person’s skin color, facial features and the texture of their hair. Although I am colorblind, I can’t help but to think of this when I hear the word race. This is due to the fact that the majority of the time when we fill out an application or any paperwork of importance the question of race is raised. I’m not sure why it matters, your experience and education seems more important to me. It seems as if some people still want to separate us depending on the color of our skin. Being that there’s so many races mixing, there’s no such thing as a pure race. Race seems to be unimportant to me. Ethnicity is a word that I prefer and enjoy when speaking of culture. Ethnicity makes me think of everybody’s struggle dating back from their ancestors to the present. Where did your ancestors originate? Where did you come from? Ethnicity is ones background and cultural differences. For example just because I am considered black doesn’t mean that I am from Africa; which means that I will be considered an African American. I thought for years that I was an African American till an African man that I was friends with broke it down to me and gave me some knowledge to read. He is considered an African American because he’s from Africa and now resides in America. I am considered to be a black American because I’m from America. This is weird being that my ancestors were American Indians. Your ethnicity is the group that others place you. I do have my personal opinion on all of this and why America still tries to identify us by race. Since my opinion was asked I felt the need to tell the truth on how I feel. Race and ethnicity are important in America because some people in the government still strives for division and don’t want us to come together as one. It seems as if the government gets more powerful when we separate ourselves from each other. If we all were to come together I…
- 390 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays