I've always been surprised by the lack of recognition of ethnicity in favour of race. With all the Caucasian ethnicites I was sure someone would recognise the African/black, Asian and Latino/Hispanic, and Indian ethnicities. I saw this lack of knowledge back in high school during our Government & Public Service class. We were talking about African American issues in the inner city.
Our teacher, a Caucasian male, was taken aback at the vehement anger one of our debates took on over a discussion of African/black ethnicity. One girl, who was African American but harboured ethnic prejudice against Caribbean, European & African blacks began her debate with something our teacher only thought to hear from a racially prejudiced Caucasian American from deep south. I still remember his stunned expression when we were called "house ni**ers". That was just an individual prejudice though but he was surprised it existed within our race.
Now, when we watch television or read the news we will see in the newspapers an ethnic label for Caucasians mainly, with some other known ethnicities. Someone looks Middle Eastern, Italian, Irish, Native American, Jewish etc. Yet for blacks, you are simply black unless someone knows your ethnic background or the reporter writes about it. I've never been able to figure out why that is. All black people are not alike. *scratches head* Same thing goes for Asian people; not every Asian person is Chinese or Japanese. Not every Hispanic/Latino person is Mexican. Not every Hispanic/Latino person who lives in New York is Puerto Rican. Not every Jewish person is Hasidic. Not every Indian person is Native American. Every African is not black.
Some ethnicities also have ethnic prejudices. I know they exist in the West Indies to hear some islands talk about "those Jamaicans" or "those Haitians". The ethnic prejudices that existed back in Africa were passed down through the generations and still exist today. It is the reason why I understand what's going on when someone who's not aware of African/black ethnicity is shocked that "blacks" fight with one another. This isn't questioned when it's North Korea & South Korea or the IRA & Britain and a few other examples. You can't expect everyone with one particular characteristic of a race to get along famously with each other.
I've come across this when dating also. Everyone assumes I am African American and I once found it offensive. Not to be called an African American but that there was an actual ignorance about my ethnicity; of which I was proud. Doesn't everyone have an ethnic pride? lol It's like someone assuming you are Irish with a terrible temper simply because you have red hair. Now I'm older so I don't automatically get ticked off so I spend time informing others of black ethnicity. There is so much more to race than the colour of your skin. There is also your culture.

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