The concept of “ethnic minorities”

[Redway]

Am I the only one who finds this turn-of-phrase problematic and racist considering so-called “minorities” account for over half of the world’s populace?

[bots]

i've always viewed it as a minority within a local population group because that is basically how the term came about. Obviously, demographics have moved on, but the terminology hasn't kept up. Depending on how you classify "local" then it can still be applicable, but in some cases the minority group may have flipped over which completely negates the purpose. It's basically not a term that is particularly meaningful any more

[Crimson Dynamo]

its related to as a percentage of the total population of the UK

80% of the UK is white

96% of Scotland is white

[Oliver_W]

It's obviously referring only in proportion to the relevant country's population.

Like how some people think muslims are "oppressed", while in vast swathes of the planet they're horrible oppressors. But that doesn't change how they're treated here.

[Mystic Mock]

I use the term for anyone that's a minority in a country.

Like for example I'd see myself as an ethnic minority if I went to Japan.

[user104658]

"Minority populations" refers to the demographics of a country or region, not the whole planet. If a white person goes to Africa and starts referring to black people there as an ethnic minority, well... that stupidity is all their own.

[Mystic Mock]

"Minority populations" refers to the demographics of a country or region, not the whole planet. If a white person goes to Africa and starts referring to black people there as an ethnic minority, well... that stupidity is all their own.

God if someone was referring to black people as a minority in an African Country then that person would need to go back to School.:joker:

[Marsh.]

No. It's literally referring to a minority within a larger group. It's not just racial topics that use the "minority" terms

It's not a "descriptor" for people of colour, that is a misunderstanding of the phrase.

[arista]

No. It's literally referring to a minority within a larger group. It's not just racial topics that use the "minority" terms

It's not a "descriptor" for people of colour, that is a misunderstanding of the phrase.



Yes I agree Marsh.

[Livia]

It's not an apt descriptor for "people of colour". I am in an ethnic minority and I am white. Travellers... they're white and in an ethnic minority. Black people are not the only people to have suffered.