Human Classification.

The term race from my knowledge is a system of classification of human beings. It classifies individuals into a specific category as whole, into a group/population based upon their pigmentation, heritage, appearance, and so on. In my opinion, the word race is a terminology that has been used to differentiate individuals based upon their differences and commonalities. There are a few racial classifications that are relatively common in the United States such as: Asian, African American, Hispanic, and White. Through my observations and experiences these categories of race like Asian, are defining individuals with oriental features and/or background and grouped into one segment; the Hispanic category are individuals of Spanish/Mexican background and features. The most common go-to characteristic shared among individuals in regards of racial classification is prejudging by a person appearance, such as skin tone and facial features. To me, it seems that racial categorizations are somewhat universal among society to society with the proper adaptation of their respected language, and the key word is “somewhat” similar. The classification of race from society to society may vary based upon what they may recognize as race. For instant, in Cambodia the classification of race is somewhat the same as the United States, but instead of having a single category for all “Asian” each different Asian ethnic group are separated to their own category. For example, the Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and many more are their own separate class in the racial classification system of Cambodia. I’ve visited a few countries and other states outside of California, the racial classification in other regions from my experience are very similar aside from terminology and additional categories describing another ones race.

                  Ethnicity is the cultural background and values of an individual. Although, ethnicity is along the same line as the classification of race but differs on the basis of category. The similarity of ethnicity and race, both terminologies place human beings into separate categories of class base upon their similarity and differences. The major differences between the race and ethnicity, ethnicity define each different ethic background as their own respected category while the term race may bundle a mixture of culture into one category. For example, Asian in the classification of race in the United States are individuals/groups that are related to any part of Asia and bundle up all together as one group. While with the classification of ethnic, it does not bundle those who are related to Asia as one group but instead acknowledge the differences and similarities of each group base upon their cultural background. 

-422 W