Alright...So I am taking English 1A at West Valley College. For those of you who don't know, that's in California. I live near Santa Cruise and San Francisco. Anyway my english class is based on race and ethnicity. Class has been going on for almost ten weeks now and I have learned a ton.When asked, many people can not distinguish the difference between race and ethnicity. So let me give you a little definition. (I know, you've been in school long enough, why teach you more right?)
Race- the color of ones skin, your appearance. (i.e. black, white, etc)
Ethnicity-your actual biological background (i.e. african american, brazillian, Irish, etc)
I have asked many people since starting this class what their race and ethnicity were and they have all replied with one answer, using the terms interchangeably. There is a difference between race and ethnicity and I think it's hugely important to realize this. It all plays a part in the brainwashing we as a society have. We like to say that we're all the same on the inside, but we're not. This confusion plays a big part in what creates racism and hate without a reason. We are currently reading a book called "Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" The author points out that race racism also play a part in Disney movies. I'll go into that another time. For now I just want to have people realize that RACE and ETHNICITY are two very different things, and that it is important to distinguish between the two.
I'm very interested to hear how race racism plays a part in the Disney movies. Sounds like an interesting subject.
~C
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Well go for it if you like...the post is up
That is something I've never actually considered and I always wondered what the difference was. So, if nothing else, thanks for teaching me something new! That class sounds really interesting!
Not a problem. the class is interesting. I wish a ton of people would take it. but there are people who say its a bunch of bs. have even lost a friend because she said I was ignoring my people by taking the class. ironic thing is...im mostly native american. ha...oh well, controversial issues cause some drama. im glad you appreciated it though. Keep postin. I will and you can read as much as you want.
Yeah, distinguishing between the two have always been difficult for me, but I think I've got the idea now. My only question is, is Ethnicity interchangeable? (Like the white baby in an African village - race would be white, but ethnicity, as in cultural identification, would be the same as other people in the African village, right?)
i think you got the basic idea right. I would say yes, but there are those who would say no just because the culture has nothing to do with the blood factor. most people using the definitions presented would agree with you. so I would say good observation GJ
(Like the white baby in an African village - race would be white, but ethnicity, as in cultural identification, would be the same as other people in the African village, right?)
The emotional blue print expands in cases like this. Normally this takes a lifetime, while babies or young children absorb it all when going through this process.
It’s an emotional richness which is not all that easy to explain.
Children will on a later age or stage unwarily combine whatever influences they have lived in experience.
Children learn whatever language at a young age, adults don’t!
It’s all about emotion
uh..i didnt know that, so my race is black and my Ethnicity is american. okay, i get it know.
i was under the impression that there is only ONE race (which is human) and many, many ethnicities
There is only one race, but it isn’t human just yet!
http://www.wowzone.com/monkey.htm
Nendaa-Go Back / Jerry Alfred
http://www.wowzone.com/monkey.htm
Your definition of ethnicity is not quite right. Race has a biological basis, but ethnicity does not. Ethnicity is based on cultural and geographical aspects of your background.
And yet, on the genetic level, you can't separate the 'race's.
~C
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Race is not very useful from a scientific point of view because there is miniscule difference between the races. But things like skin color and eye shape are surely determined by genetics and I think a genetic scientist could look at a gene sample and make a very good guess as to "race". Also it has certain usefulness in medicine because certain medical conditions are associated with certain races. But we are clearly all the same species and as such, there is very little genetic difference between all of us regardless of trivial things like skin color.
Nevertheless, humans have a strong, perhaps instinctual, behavioral tendency to divide themselves up and self-segregate on the basis of visible physical racial traits.
I agree that race has more basis in biological origin then ethnicity. I was particularly struck by the bloggers choice of Brazillian as an example of ethnicity being tied to biological origin. Brazill is one of the most racially diverse and blended countries on earth. It has a good smattering of relatively pure racial caucasion europeans, aboriginal Americans, and African blacks (and probably some Asians too) and it also has a very large number of people who are racially mixed. Being Brazillian is certainly an ethnicity with all of its rich culture but it has almost nothing to do with biology.