Common Terminology

1. Race - “any one of the groups that humans are often divided into based on physical traits (skin color, facial features, hair texture, etc.) regarded as common among people of shared ancestry” from Merriam Webster Dictionary,

- Examples: Black or African American, White, Asian, Pacific Islander, etc.

2. Ethnicity - “of or relating to large groups of people classed according to common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background” from Merriam Webster

Examples: Latine, Hispanic, Arab, Han Chinese, Hutu; often overlap between race/ethnicity in common language

3. Genetic ancestry/ancestry - a person’s lineage; genetic origin; companies such as 23 and Me combine genetic testing with geography to determine genetic ancestry; it is biology

Example: Ashkenazi Jewish

4. Systemic/Structural/Institutional Racism - "Policies and practices entrenched in established institutions, which result in the exclusion or promotion of designated groups."From "Understanding Racial Terms and Differences"

5. Discrimination- "The unequal treatment of members of various groups based on race, gender, social class, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion and other categories." From "Understanding Racial Terms and Differences"

Further Reading -

Understanding Racial Terms and Differences

Racial Equity Tools

Hive Learning A-Z Glossary