The terms Race and Ethnicity Essay Example for Free

The terms Race and Ethnicity Essay The terms Race and Ethnicity are vastly different in meaning. Regardless of their historical definitions which can be lengthy and tend to run off on many tangents. Race to me simply is based on physical characteristics. The color of ones skin, the bone structure, eye color and shape, or texture and color of ones hair. The physical makeup of a person determines their origin of race, for example Black, White or Asian. Race is simply our biological composition. Ethnicity on the other hand is based in culture, where a persons ancestry developed, their national origin being foremost and then their learned culture and background over time becomes ones ethnic makeup. Examples of this are Hispanic, German, Scottish, English, Mexican, or Jewish. For instance I am White but also German, Irish and Dutch and through my family history there are cultural traditions carried on in each generation that have become part of my ethnicity and make me unique but also group me with people from my -specific ethnic background. Ethnicity means sharing cultural similarities such as language, cuisines, dress and traditions that are part of a national culture. As far as the ways these concepts are important to the United States society, there are many, however not all of them are positive. These concepts are important to the United States society because people are recognized for the diversity of their race and culture as represented by each individual group. In my opinion race has been and is still used to determine power in our society and always brings separation by the ways in which its distributed. Classes are formed and people are either lifted to a higher level of class based on their skin color or race of origin and others are suppressed and disallowed to climb higher in society by the same racial definitions. I believe the biggest importance in our society regarding both race and ethnicity is the way people are treated regarding healthcare and the glaring class separation. Whole sections of people can be made to feel alienated or be made to feel inferior if society fails to bring diverse groups together as one mainstream society. Ethnicity as I have seen it has brought groups closer in society. People of diverse nationalities seem to stick together and celebrate their diversity in close knit groupings, gathering at holidays to share cultural traditions. Choosing cohabitation in neighborhoods of common nationalities and cultures, forming alliances with similar fellowships and even encouraging social activities within cultural groups. Everyone can learn from anothers culture and bring their own knowledge to the table to share with others. Our country was founded on diversity and the common understanding that we are all different and all deserve the same respect for our individual values. In order to ensure success in the future of our country we need to broaden our thinking and teach tolerance and appreciation for our differences.