Hi, Angelina. I am just a visitor to this board, drawn here by your post. I am still, in my later years, trying to determine the correct usage of terms. My thinking has been corrupted by the many discussions/arguments I have heard in my lifetime.

For example, I know that Jewish is a religion, not a race, but many seem to lose sight of that fact. I also question whether we are mis-classfying black people who are American-born-and-bred by use of the term 'African-American'. For that matter, which peoples, in these days, are considered members of the 'black race' [certainly not an issue of skin color any longer since the racial playing field is now peopled with groups who are as 'black' as I am]?

I believe that I need a better understanding of what is meant by the terms 'ethnicity', 'culture', 'heritage', 'race', and any other descriptive term used to denote an individual's origins. I have a hard time discerning which term is appropriate in the circumstances. Perhaps there are some ideas and guidelines out there somewhere, but I can't lay my hands on any.

If you decide to respond to this message, please post your answer in the Genealogy & History Forum. I don't usually visit this board and may miss your answer otherwise. Thank you.

Spivey