The foundation for the acceptance and appreciation of human diversity is our American heritage. We are descendants of generations of ancestors who dared to challenge every foe in order that each of us could proudly live out our commonalities as well as our differences in a "land of the free and the home of the brave." Our commonalities are in our humanity; our diversity—our individual, group, family, and community uniqueness—gives testimony to the miracle of creation.

The University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures at San Antonio has a commitment to enhance the understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of our diversity as well as our commonality. This endeavor provides an opportunity for conflict resolution, increased knowledge, and awareness for each of us. A major step toward this commitment begins with the explanation and brief definition of terms often used interchangeably.

Race A dictionary definition of "race" is "a group of persons related by common descent, blood, or heredity; a subdivision of the human species characterized by a more or less distinctive combination of physical traits that are transmitted in descent."

But the concept of "race" is beginning to be seen today as an artificial and unfair term for a classification of people based on physical differences. Humans do, rather obviously, show physical differences in terms of skin color, texture of hair, facial structures, tendency to illness, and body type. However, two situations—easily confirmed by modern science—deny validity to "race" as a classification system. First, most of the observable physical differences in individual people occur within the groups formerly called "races." Second, evidence so far shows that culture, intelligence, creativity, and ability are not linked in any way to physical differences.

Still, physical variations in people have been the basis of prejudice and oppression in all centuries. In the past, certain cultural groups—at least the majority of a group because of marriage patterns or isolation—were identifiable by small physical differences. This situation fell into the hands of those who would create deliberate prejudice or hate through stereotyping. But the culture of such groups was not caused or determined by any such physical differences.

An example of differences between race and culture may be found in a family adopting an infant from another race and raising the child in the family’s culture.

The child belongs to the culture in which it was raised, although the youngster may show "racial characteristics" of another group.

In contemporary society, the term "race" is used politically and also technically in such fields as genetics and physical anthropology. But the term is used more commonly and unfairly to stereotype people or to provoke certain reactions from a listener including prejudice and discrimination.

At the present time, the fact of highly mobile groups of people requires an ongoing reevaluation of the concept of "race." Because of intermarriage or environment, many of the formerly observable distinctions among groups are declining or changing.

Racism In practice, racism is an overt behavior toward what is perceived as another racial group or individual to subordinate, label, and alienate the group in an effort to maintain control over the group. The behavior is an ongoing historical phenomenon in most societies. Racism is deliberately encouraged by some, but here and there attempts are made to reduce its effects by certain religious, legal, or social institutions. Progress has been made. But progress is slow, an uphill journey, in fact, because racism seems to be woven into the very fabric of our society, perhaps into the human mind.

The major classifications of racism are common: individual and personal. Individual racism is evident when personal actions or reactions are overt and exercised with every intention to hurt; destroy; inflict death or wounds; and/or cause violence, hate, or displeasure toward a person, group, or organization based solely on the physical appearance of the subject.

Institutional racism is very subtle and insidious. It is the results of actions that affect the victim (e.g., last hired, first fired; red-lining in housing; seating near the kitchen in restaurants; refusal of medical care; and longer prison terms). Institutional racism is the most difficult to challenge. It rarely if ever corrects itself, and the victim is often unsuccessful in finding its source. Often, an individual must assume the risk of challenging a highly respected and very well-established entity with a high social reputation. For this reason, many practices of racism in such institutions remain unchallenged, often leading the perpetrators to believe that the practices are expected and accepted.

Culture The all-inclusive term "culture" is often used inappropriately to describe "racial," ethnic, or social differences. Generally, culture is the way a given group or people interact. It is a sum total of folkways, values, mores, ideas, beliefs, and historical influences. Culture is socially acquired and socially transmitted, through teaching, to future generations.

Cultures are defined by differences exemplified in regions by historical influences, class/family status, traditions, and concepts of time. Observable differences between cultures exist and may be manifested by choices concerning food, religion, art, music, dance, education, employment, marriage, death and dying, holidays, and other rituals or rites of passage. Still, within cultures there are many differences, particularly in individual preferences.

A particular cultural heritage/background often determines an individual’s view of the world. Evidences of this worldview include but are not restricted to how one accepts or rejects authority; views social rules; perceives life, living, and illness; views death and dying; and reacts to and defines discipline. Other attributes that signify differences in cultures are how one handles feelings such as pain, loss, or joy; how one relates to diversity; how teaching and learning are seen; and how one prioritizes his or her life.

A culture is a way of life.

Ethnicity A common definition of an ethnic group is "people with common physical characteristics or nationality who share a common and distinctive culture." This sharing may include languages, beliefs, origins, traditions, and outlooks on life. In fact, some ethnic groups, because of intermarriage, do show "racial characteristics" since individuals have been taught to share cultural factors such as social histories, structures of organizations, music, food, art, dance, and religion.

The concepts of culture and ethnicity overlap, sometimes completely, although "culture" is usually the more-inclusive term. An ethnic group can be part of a larger culture.

Most ethnic groups share commonalities which may be conscious or unconscious efforts of self-definition. Such characteristics and experiences, often unique to a group, promote feelings of security, identity, and purpose.

A recognizable acceptance of many ethnic groups is evident in the United States as we continue to celebrate diverse rituals, values, foods, holidays, music, dance, religions, and dress.

Ethnocentrism To be ethnocentric is to evaluate other groups using criteria specific to one’s own group. This often creates the feeling that one’s own culture is superior to other groups’ cultures. This feeling or belief moves one to criticize, subordinate, undermine, and develop conflicting relationships with other groups. Ethnocentric feelings can even cause an individual or group to fear for their own existence. Rather naturally, ethnocentric behavior may reflect personal, unresolved issues.

The programs, projects, exhibits, seminars, and community interactions of ITC are efforts to support the concept that all Americans are "endowed with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

The Institute of Texan Cultures honors its mission to encourage the acceptance and appreciation of our differences as well as our common humanity. We celebrate diversity as a "gift of strength" needed in this 21^st century.