Essay about Race and Ethnicity - 487 Words

Upon entering the class I was anxious, curious, and also oblivious to the ideas I would be encountering. Like other students who had not previously spent time discussing topics of race and ethnicity, I myself had nervous tendencies in assuming that such a class may not strengthen my understanding of ethnic and race relations. I realized I knew little about race or ethnicity, and even the possible similarities or differences. However, I welcomed the opportunity to further discover the possibilities of the class. My understanding of race was concentrated in a definition that could be understood as different skin colors. My limited conception of ethnicity applied to people’s origin or where they lived. It seemed as though my lack of†¦show more content†¦Explanations as to why such areas seemed trivial in my life may possibly be found in the life I have lived. My pre-adolescent years were spent in a community thick with diversity. My friendships were as diverse as the environment in which I lived. It never struck me that racial and ethnic ideals separated people in society. However, upon moving to a predominately white upper-class community I began to question such racial and ethnic ideas. From my adolescent years through today I began noticing that certain people are viewed differently for reasons relating to race and ethnicity. As a result, the most recent community I grew up in has kept me sheltered from aspects of society. As a product of a community where majorities existed, I found myself unexposed to the full understanding of race and ethnicity. Prior to the class I had never fully dealt with issues of race or ethnicity, as a result I wondered why they would be of any importance in my life. Nonetheless, these feeling changed. Even though my understanding of ethnicity and race was limited my interest for understanding grew. For example, one weekend among peers at Connecticut College my last name was referred to in conversation about the Jewish population on campus. Without any hesitation the people around me highlighted a distinction that I was not Jewish due to my German name and looks, and therefore not included with the concern of the discussion. I came to wonder why such a distinction was made. I knew thatShow MoreRelatedRace, Ethnicity And Ethnicity917 Words   |  4 Pageswould like to discuss the issue of race and ethnicity in sports. We will also explore the bigger questions. How much does race and ethnicity matter in the sports world? Are certain races dominant in certain sports? Is there a difference in how we treat players based on race and ethnicity? Does it matter? I would like to answer some of these questions and gain a better understanding of how much of a part they play. Introduction Race and ethnicity in sports is a very delicate subjectRead MoreDimensions On Race And Ethnicity848 Words   |  4 PagesSection Review 2: Dimensions on Race and Ethnicity A.) Summary and Reaction This section review covers the factors related to racial and ethnic identity. The text stated that racial identity is self-determined and incorporates the values from one’s cultural group (Schwarzbaum Thomas, 2008). The text also explained that ethnic identity can vary from family to family and can lead to value-based conflicts within a family (Schwarzbaum Thomas, 2008). I thought this section also did a great job inRead MoreSociology : Race And Ethnicity962 Words   |  4 PagesRace and ethnicity are commonly used as synonyms for each other as we encounter many diverse individuals throughout the world. Sociologist on the other hand, find very distinct understandings to how these terms, while different, hold correlation to one another. 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As a demographic phenomenon, ethnicity is belongingRead More Race and Ethnicity According to Anthropologists Essay1797 Words   |  8 PagesRace and Ethnicity According to Anthropologists Examining the ideas and beliefs within ones own cultural context is central to the study of Anthropology. Issues of Race and Ethnicity dominate the academic discourses of various disciplines including the field of Anthropology. Race and Ethnicity are controversial terms that are defined and used by people in many different ways. This essay shall explore the ways in which Anthropologists make a distinction between race and ethnicity and how theseRead MoreEducational Institution Effects on Race and Ethnicity621 Words   |  2 PagesINSTITUTION EFFECTS ON RACE ETHNICITY Race and ethnicity are usually used interchangeably, however they are not same. Ethnicity is described by the group on the basis of family history, national foundation, and forefathers. Ethnicity cannot transform, although elements of a particular ethnic group’s community can transform. Race is a term that attempts to categorize human beings into distinct groups by their Phenotypes according to skin color, eye color, etc. All over the history, race has been usuallyRead MoreEssay about Race and Ethnicity in Social Sciences877 Words   |  4 PagesUse of the Terms Race and Ethnicity in the Social Sciences Defining identity can be complex and therefore we have to investigate the factors involved that make us who we are and how we are seen by others, collectively or individually. Social scientists have to consider the key elements which shape identity, the importance of social structures and agency involved. The differences and/or similarities between us are the focus that categorise and label us in society. Knowing who we are is important