Understanding Race and Ethnicity

A biological reality

A social construct based on physical traits

The same as ethnicity

Determined by one's nationality

Based on biological differences

Determined by skin color

Shared cultural practices and heritage

Defined by legal citizenship

Irish immigrants were once considered non-white

Native Americans have always been classified as a distinct race

African Americans have always been considered a single racial group

Asian Americans have never experienced changes in racial classification

Race is considered a fixed, biological trait

Mixed-race identities are less recognized

There is greater acknowledgment of racial fluidity and complexity

Racial categories have remained unchanged for the past century

Is always numerically smaller than the majority

Has less power and experiences discrimination

Is defined solely by racial characteristics

Always has a distinct language and culture

Changing one's racial identity

Alternating between languages or dialects in different contexts

Switching political affiliations

Changing one's cultural practices

Speaking only in African languages

Avoiding any use of English

Alternating between Standard English and African American Vernacular English

Using only formal language in all situations

Treating someone unfairly based on group membership

Laws that favor one group over another

Preconceived opinions not based on reason or experience

The act of segregating communities

Only thoughts and feelings

Actions that treat people unfairly based on group membership

Positive preferential treatment

Changing one's opinions about a group