Difference Between Race and Ethnicity
Race is a social construct — a term coined by medical professionals — and as such, varies in meaning based on context and individual preferences. The concept of race has been the topic of heated disagreement and politicization for decades, with different groups within society applying different labels to the same phenomenon. I myself agree with those who label race as a construct, and by extension, race as a phenomenon. However, when applied to racial minorities, the labels can be difficult to understand and difficult to distinguish between
Being ethnic is not the same as being racial, which is a distinction based on similarity and exists independently of context. I do not miss being categorized as Latino, Polish, or Hungarian, because each person I have interacted with regards me as belonging to one of these groups — not recognizing that I am a minority ethnic minority. Being ethnic is not the same as being racial — which is a distinction based on similarity
In most cases, when people see me, they do not think of my skin color. They think of my big personality and colorful shoes. I am recognized as a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, and I have been recognized as an “above-average” successful by several marketing agencies
They may even say, “Oh, you are ethnic,” when they mean “not racial.”I have never felt “like a guy” or “like a girl” — I am just born as I am.
