D
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Now, before we get started, I want to make sure that everybody is aware of what this thread is about. First of all, all of these topics are important to individual people, and it may be an uncomfortable topic. I will do my best to refrain from any remarks will make others feel uncomfortable. If you feel that you might not like this topic, I would invite you to leave for your own sake, as this is the temp we are talking about. Second, I don't want this turning into a political debate. In the world as we know it today, these issues are huge, so they have a spot in this forum, but I want you to express your views and not bash political parties.
So, now that that is over with, let us continue.
First of all, let's start with the most obvious one. Nationality.
Next up: Race.
Next up: Ethnicity.
Now that all of that information has been said, you still might be confused as to what I mean.
Jimmy is the name of the example:
Side Note: With the above notes listed, I would like to express that I believe that calling somebody Black or White is not politically incorrect when referring to their race, and that calling them African-American or Caucasian-American are politically incorrect when referring to their race. Just puts a spin on perspective.
So, now that that is over with, let us continue.
First of all, let's start with the most obvious one. Nationality.
An individual's nationality is tied directly to the country of which they are a legal resident. If Derrek is living in the United States, and is a citizen, he is American. If Johnny is living in the United States, but is a citizen of Canada and not the United States, he is Canadian. Nationality has nothing to do with your own mindset, because it is completely a legal issue.
Next up: Race.
Race is a tricky one (as I am sure most of us reading this have already figured out in our everyday lives). Race is based on one's perception of another, and from there they get placed into groups. The most common race terms are "White" and "Black" referring to the color of the skin. Race is not something changeable by the person that belongs to the race. They will most always belong to that race. Race is what the majority of segregated regulations are based off of, because it is based primarily off of physical characteristics.
Next up: Ethnicity.
Ethnicity is the most difficult one to explain. An individual's ethnicity is completely decided upon by the individual. Ethnicity is the social construct used to identify people who fall in line with the practices of a specific culture. Terms like "African-American", "Hispanic", and "Asian-American" are commonly used. Ethnicity (like stated earlier) can be changed by the person identifying themselves. Unlike race, ethnicity is not based off of physical characteristics.
An example:
Now that all of that information has been said, you still might be confused as to what I mean.
Jimmy is the name of the example:
Nationality: Canadian
Race: White
Ethnicity: African-Canadian
Jimmy's mother was a white, South African who was in support of removing the apartheid in South Africa. She ended up migrating to Canada, where she met her husband. Then they settled down and had Jimmy. When Jimmy was growing up, his father taught him French (or Canadian-French, I don't know the difference) which he used frequently to communicate with his friends. However, he frequently traveled down to South Africa to meet up with his relatives, and hence gained a sense of their culture.
Now a man, Jimmy's current attitude and methods of life are based on both his race (White) and how that leads him down different paths, but also the teachings he received from his maternal relatives as well as fraternal relatives, so he is racially identified as White, but self-identifies as African-Canadian.
What are your thoughts? Do you believe that race and ethnicity are one in the same, or do you believe that they draw a fine line?Race: White
Ethnicity: African-Canadian
Jimmy's mother was a white, South African who was in support of removing the apartheid in South Africa. She ended up migrating to Canada, where she met her husband. Then they settled down and had Jimmy. When Jimmy was growing up, his father taught him French (or Canadian-French, I don't know the difference) which he used frequently to communicate with his friends. However, he frequently traveled down to South Africa to meet up with his relatives, and hence gained a sense of their culture.
Now a man, Jimmy's current attitude and methods of life are based on both his race (White) and how that leads him down different paths, but also the teachings he received from his maternal relatives as well as fraternal relatives, so he is racially identified as White, but self-identifies as African-Canadian.
Side Note: With the above notes listed, I would like to express that I believe that calling somebody Black or White is not politically incorrect when referring to their race, and that calling them African-American or Caucasian-American are politically incorrect when referring to their race. Just puts a spin on perspective.