If there is only one race (The Human Race) what is a better word for the different kinds of human.?

Question

I think of people like ice cream because there are alot of flavors, but if you mix them all together they are still ice cream. I know that there isn't enough genetic difference to have defined and real racial groups, but yet we still separate into races. So, what is the proper word for the different "flavors" of peoples like Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, White, Sub-Saharan/Black, South Asian, Native American, Afro-Latino, Mestizo, Eurasian, East Asian, Pacific Islander, and some other "races". So what is the word for the different kinds of humans? Just human types maybe? Ethnicity isn't it because ethnicity has nothing to do with so-called racial groups. Anyways, if you can answer nicely and not rudely then that would be so cool!

Answer 1

The proper biological term and the term most correct, would be, " populations. "

Answer 2

Ethnicity IS what you're talking about there.  Ethnicity refers to a group of people with shared cultural and/or physical characteristics such as history, language, skin color, etc.  I get the feeling that you're just not entirely sure about the definition of the term.

Terms like "race" and "ethnicity" are our attempts to explain differences between people that have no real scientific leg to stand on.  Any "categorization" that you use to describe groups of people will be inherently arbitrary anyways; which is acknowledged in the modern definition of both "race" and "ethnicity."

The purpose these terms serve is various; sometimes context requires that we understand differences between people, and in order to do that we have to have at least some kind of common basis from which to start.  As long as it is understood that these are arbitrary definitions and are useless for drawing any sorts of value or scientific judgments about that particular ethnicity, there is really no need to "properly" categorize people.

An example: Studying the ethnic cleansing that happened in countries like Bosnia or Rwanda.  In order to understand the situation, one must be familiar with the terms and context involved.  This means that there is a vocabulary involved in the study, and part of that vocabulary is labeling the different ethnicities involved.  It's all still arbitrary, but it's required for greater understanding.  You can't really know the whole situation by just saying that "some Homo sapiens killed some other Homo sapiens."

Apologies for the long answer.  I hope that clears something up at least.

Answer 3

There is no such thing as "race" because there is no difference between someone from Scandinavia and one from Africa.  "Race" was created by people who wanted a justification for subjugating others.  But being human we all seem to need to label everything so I would have to say ethnicity is the best.

American Heritage dictionary of cultural literacy defines ethnicity as: Identity with or membership in a particular racial, national, or cultural group and observance of that group's customs, beliefs, and language.

Note: Many minority groups in the United States maintain strong ethnic identity; especially in cities, immigrants are often attracted to ethnic communities established by people from their own country, communities in which many traditional cultural features are maintained. (See melting pot.)

Does that help at all?

Answer 4

"Classifications"

As in, " there are several different classifications of humanity".

Just a suggestion.

Answer 5

I would say variant homo sapiens.

The ice cream analogy is good!

Answer 6

Haha, would you prefer "breed," like a dog?

If you're dividing people up, it really doesn't matter what term you use.  Race is as good as any.

Human, Homo sapien, is a species, not a race.