Explain what race and ethnicity are. Why is race, in particular, hard to define? How does society treat people based on their race and/or ethnicity? How are race and ethnicity important for individuals and groups?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Race and ethnicity are socially constructed concepts. Race is based on an assumption of a biological distinction while ethnicity is based on cultural differences. Race is hard to define because the physical characteristics on which it is based are not fixed; "Black" people come in many colors, and race is not based on biological fact. People are more physiologically similar than different; in addition humans are usually not physically isolated and people crossbreed, so there is no such thing as a "pure" race. Both race and ethnicity are used to rate and organize social groups in society, and social resources are often allocated on the basis of race or ethnicity. This practice leads to unequal treatment, power, privilege, income, and prestige. However, race and ethnicity are important sources of individual and group identity