CULTURE THROUGH RACE & ETHNICITY

 

It is true that we live in an era of significant and constant change. From the technology we rely upon daily to the attitudes we currently embrace regarding social, environmental, and a host of numerous other issues, what exists now may not have been the order of the day a half century ago. 

Diversity is such an issue. Most of the legislation regarding diversity has surfaced within the last few decades, as have many diversity-oriented rules,policies, and practices in companies and several current positive attitudes regarding diversity.There are six dimensions of diversity (race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and national origin) to determine how these literatures have evolved. We then analyze some of the theoretical, practical and philosophical reasons why a movement engaged in the struggle for racial/social justice can operate in oppressive ways.These include approaches to the analysis of power, the adoption of unitary definitions of oppression, the material context of capitalism and the logical, sociological and philosophical problems that are inherent in the concept of multiculturalism itself.

                                            

                                                                 What is Race ?

Race and Ethnicity

 A race is a grouping of humans based on   shared physical or social qualities into   categories generally viewed as distinct by   society.The term was first used to refer to   speakers of a common language and then to   denote national affiliations. By the 17th   century the term began to refer to physical   (phenotypical) traits. Modern science regards   race as a social construct, an identity which is   assigned based on rules made by   society.While   partially based on physical   similarities within groups, race does not have  an inherent physical or biological meaning.

What is Ethnicity ?

An ethnic group or ethnicity is a grouping of people who identify with each other on the basis of shared attributes that distinguish them from other groups such as a common set of traditions, ancestry, language, history, society, culture, nation, religion or social treatment within their residing area. Ethnicity is sometimes used interchangeably with the term nation, particularly in cases of ethnic nationalism, and is separate from, but related to the concept of races.

Racial Categories in world 

• American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.
• Asian. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Terms such as "Haitian" or "Negro" can be used in addition to "Black or African American."
• Hispanic or Latino. A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. The term, "Spanish origin," can be used in addition to "Hispanic or Latino."
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.
• White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.

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What is Racism ?

Racism is when a person is treated worse, excluded, disadvantaged, harassed, bullied, humiliated or degraded because of their race or ethnicity. At an organisational level, it can also be the collective failure to provide an inclusive and professional working environment to people because of their race or ethnicity. This is sometimes described as ‘institutional racism’, based on the definition recommended by Sir William Macpherson in the 1999 Lawrence report (UK). Race or ethnicity includes people’s colour, and nationality (including citizenship) ethnic or national origins.

Race And Racism : Read this

What is and why Antiracism.? Read this

What is Culture ?

Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. The Center for Advance Research on Language Acquisition goes a step further, defining culture as shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understanding that are learned by socialization. Thus, it can be seen as the growth of a group identity fostered by social patterns unique to the group.

Culture and Race

Cultural and racial diversity may lead some individuals and societies to form prejudices about members of a particular culture or race and to practice discrimination. The term culture refers to ideas, behaviors, beliefs, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted between generations. While cultural differences may also include racial differences, much diversity exists within one culture and within one race.

Thank You !

Blog Written by : Sanindu Sandamal