What do the terms race and ethnicity mean to you?
The term race defines what we are and where we come from. In essence, race is a classification between different groups of people; where each race looks different, speaks a different language and has totally different culture. Race has no genetic basis whether you are, black, Caucasian, Asian or Indian, it is based on various characteristics.
(Ms. Sue I wanted to elaborate more, but I do not know what else to say)
Why are these concepts important to United States society?
Is race WHAT we are? What do you mean? For instance, I'm a grandmother, friend, teacher, club president, human being, word puzzle addict, etc. They have nothing to do with race.
I come from Chicago. What does that have to do with race?
Do different races speak different languages? Do we have only one race in the U.S. who speak English?
If race has no genetic basis, then why do black people usually have at least one black parent, grandparents, etc.?
Please rethink what race and ethnicity mean to YOU.
Ms. Sue,
I am lost.
I know.
Let's try it this way. Answer these questions in your own words. Then we'll try to put your answers together in a paragraph.
1. What race do you consider yourself?
2. Why do you choose this race?
3. Do you have friends of different races?
4. What races are they?
5. When you first meet a person of a different race, are you hesitant about talking with them? Why or why not?
6. Do you think a person of a different race or mixed race can hold an important position, like president of a company or president of the U.S.? Why? Why not?
7. What ethnic group do you consider yourself? (African-American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, American, French, English, Norwegian, etc.)
8. Do you think some races or ethnic groups are better than others?
I am of the race Caucasian, and for ethnic group: WASP, with the P meaning Evangelical.
Main Entry:
WASP Listen to the pronunciation of WASP
Variant(s):
or Wasp Listen to the pronunciation of Wasp \ˈwäsp, ˈwȯsp\
Function:
noun
Usage:
often attributive
Etymology:
white Anglo-Saxon Protestant
Date:
1957
sometimes disparaging : an American of Northern European and especially British ancestry and of Protestant background; especially : a member of the dominant and the most privileged class of people in the United States
— Wasp·dom Listen to the pronunciation of Waspdom \-dÉ™m\ noun sometimes disparaging
— Wasp·ish Listen to the pronunciation of Waspish \ˈwäs-pish, ˈwȯs-\ adjective sometimes disparaging
— Wasp·ish·ness noun sometimes disparaging
— Waspy Listen to the pronunciation of Waspy \-pē\ adjective sometimes disparaging
What race do you consider yourself?
Although some of my ancestors are Europeans I consider myself as black.
Why do you choose this race?
Because both of my parents are black.
Do you have friends of different races?
I have many friends of different races. I even dated different races.
What races are they?
Irish, Chinese, Indian, African, Spanish, Italian, French, etc.
When you first meet a person of a different race, are you hesitant about talking with them? Why or why not?
I am never hesitant to talk to a person of different race the first time I meet them. For example, if I am in a waiting room and the person keeps to him/herself, I will not bother, therefore, if the person starts a conversation, I will go along.
Do you think a person of a different race or mixed race can hold an important position, like president of a company or president of the U.S.? Why? Why not?
I do think so. However, race has remained an issure until today. I really do not know. Because I am having my share of discrimination at work. I spoke to an Irish friend last week, eventhough he is a democrat, he told me that he will not vote for OBama because is afraid that 10,000 of Al Sharpton will run the country. (I used to be a mortgage broker, and was self-employed for many years, with the realestate fall, I had to seek employment,. I work at a Doctor’s office, there is a position that I had applied for, eventhough I went to school for the subject, I did not get it until now.)
What ethnic group do you consider yourself? (African-American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, American, French, English, Norwegian, etc.)
I would say African-american
Do you think some races or ethnic groups are better than others?
I do not think so. It is only the skin color. We are all the same. God created us equally, but human beings created that all charade about race and color.
Good work, to the point, and on target.
Rose -- you have excellent ideas! :-)
I think you should start your answer with your last paragraph.
"Race is only the skin color. We are all the same. God created us equally, but human beings created all that charade about race and color."
You can then relate some of your own experiences of discrimination, yet having friends of different races.
______________________
For me, ethnicity is only apparent in those who keep some of the customs of their ancestors -- in food, religious celebrations, etc.
Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Did you look those 2 words up in a good dictionary?
race = 1 : a breeding stock of animals
2 a : a family, tribe, people, or nation belonging to the same stock b : a class or kind of people unified by community of interests, habits, or characteristics <the English race>
3 a : an actually or potentially interbreeding group within a species; also : a taxonomic category (as a subspecies) representing such a group b : BREED c : a division of mankind possessing traits that are transmissible by descent and sufficient to characterize it as a distinct human type
4 : obsolete : inherited temperament or disposition
5 : distinctive flavor, taste, or strength
ethnic = 1 : HEATHEN
2 a : of or relating to large groups of people classed according to common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background <ethnic minorities> <ethnic enclaves> b : being a member of an ethnic group c : of, relating to, or characteristic of ethnics <ethnic neighborhoods> <ethnic foods>
It's not a bad idea to always begin with a good definition.