Define, and distinguish between, the terms Race and Ethnicity
Consider how race and ethnicity influence political mobilization
Introduction
Race and ethnicity have often been used, mistakenly, as though they are interchangeable terms. The terms are often widely misunderstood, so it is important to ensure the two terms are clearly defined. According to Merriam-Webster, race is “a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits.” To this end, race is a narrow term which is associated with biological characteristics such as skin color and hair texture. On the U.S. Census, which is conducted every ten years in the United States, the following six options appear for individuals to share their race: White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or Other Race (for those who do not associate with any of the previous categories). Ethnicity is a broader term than race and is used to categorize groups of people according to their own relation to culture. Racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic and cultural origin are all factors which can be used to describe a person’s ethnicity. Ethnicity can be confusing for many people, especially given the context in which they may be asked about their ethnicity.
In the US Census, there are limited options listed, in fact, only two options: you can either choose that you are of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish descent, or not. Both race and ethnicity can be categorizations that raise problems, especially as the options available to those having to answer to their race and ethnicity, may not be comprehensive or representative of their actual identities. Two of the most obvious problems are this: First, sometimes people do not want to be categorized according to their race or ethnicity, or, second, they feel the current labels do not capture their identities. On the first point, some people do not want to share their race or ethnicity for fear of any consequences that may come from being identified in a certain way. On the latter point, the limited options sometimes presented just do not seem appropriate for those needing to select an option.
Race and ethnicity play a major role in politics around the world. Factors of race and ethnicity can be explored as both an influence on political outcomes, as well as an effect of political outcomes.Within the U.S.,one could study the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, which was a movement that attempted to ensure equal treatment under the law for Black and African American citizens. The momentum for the movement came from civil rights activists and protestors who sought to end racial oppression, end segregation, and end Black voter suppression and discriminatory employment and housing practices. The Civil Rights Movement occurred between 1954 and 1968, and resulted in a number of important changes within the U.S., particularly in relation to ending literacy tests (like the 1964 Louisiana State Literacy Test, which was intended to suppress Black voters), and instituting policies like Affirmative Action.
Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): The 1963 March on Washington participants and leaders marching from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. (Source: Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. by U.S. Information Agency Press and Publications Service via the National Archives and Records Administration is licensed under Public Domain).
Race and ethnicity have been studied in relation to quality of democracy, the role of public opinion, individual attitudes, public policy, the quality and scope of institutions within a regime, the evaluating of how different groups work together (or don’t), as well as inequality in wealth and economic outcomes. Overall, the scope of race and ethnicity in politics is sweeping. As an example, much research has been completed in relation to political attitudes in the U.S. and how race and ethnicity can affect trends in political attitudes, as well as how much political parties can diverge on their perspectives on progress for racial equality. In the U.S., political parties have different perspectives on progress for racial equality. Members of the Republican Party are far more likely to say great advances have been made in terms of racial equality in the U.S., while members of the Democratic Party affirm that much more needs to be done.
While the political parties disagree, and political party affiliation tends to be the main queue for how Americans vote, the majority of Black Americans, according to the Pew Research Center, believe most of the institutions in the U.S. are biased and need to be “completely rebuilt.” Matters of race and ethnicity as they relate to politics continue to be significant areas of research around the world. Almost every country on the planet has unique historical contexts and political circumstances that in some way are affected, or affect, different racial or ethnic groups.
