Full Answer Section

Culture refers to the beliefs, customs, and practices of a particular group of people. It can include things like language, religion, food, music, art, and clothing.

An ethnic group is a group of people who share a common cultural heritage. Ethnic groups can be defined by their language, religion, customs, or national origin.

Race is a socially constructed category that is used to classify people based on their physical characteristics, such as skin color, hair texture, and facial features. Race is not a biological category, and there is no scientific basis for dividing humans into different races.

The term people of color is used to refer to people who are not white. It is a broad term that encompasses people from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The two terms that my understanding changed the most for were race and people of color. I had previously thought of race as a biological category, but I now understand that it is a social construct. I also learned that the term people of color is a way to acknowledge the shared experiences of people who are not white, without erasing their individual identities.

This new understanding has implications for the type of work I may need to do and the areas I may need to focus on during the course. For example, I may need to work on developing my own cultural competence and becoming more aware of my own biases. I may also need to focus on creating a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students.

Here are some questions I still have about these terms:

• What is the best way to talk about race and ethnicity in a way that is respectful and accurate?
• How can we promote cultural diversity and inclusion in our classrooms and workplaces?
• How can we challenge racism and discrimination in our society?