Cultural Designations

African

People born in the continent of Africa.

Australian

People born in the continent of Australia.

Black/African American*

• Black: People of African descent.

• African American: People of African descent born in the United States.

Cambodian/Cambodian American

• Cambodian: People born in Cambodia.

• Cambodian American: People of Cambodian descent born in the United States.

Chinese/Chinese American

• Chinese: People born in China

• Chinese American: People of Chinese descent born in the United States.

East Indian/East Indian American

• East Indian: People born in India.

• East Indian American: People of East Indian descent born in the United States.

Eastern European

People born in Eastern Europe. Specific countries may be noted in the annotation.

Filipino/Filipino American**

• Filipino: People born in the Philippines.

• Filipino American: People of Filipino descent born in the United States.

Hmong/Hmong American

• Hmong: Hmong people from Laos.

• Hmong American: People of Hmong descent born in the United States.

Italian/Italian American

• Italian: People born in Italy.

• Italian American: People of Italian descent born in the United States.

Japanese/Japanese American

• Japanese: People born in Japan.

• Japanese American: People of Japanese descent born in the United States.

Jewish/Jewish American

• Jewish: People of Jewish descent.

• Jewish American: People of Jewish descent born in the United States.

Korean/Korean American

• Korean: People born in Korea.

• Korean American: People of Korean descent born in the United States.

Latino/Latino American

• Latino: People born in Latin America.

• Latino American: People of Latin descent born in the United States.

Middle Eastern

People born in the Middle East. Specific countries may be noted in the annotation.

Multicultural

People from more than one cultural group. Specific cultures may be noted in annotation.

Native American

People who are American Indians.

Pacific Islander

People born in the Pacific Islands.

Russian/Russian American

• Russian: People born in Russia.

• Russian American: People of Russian descent born in the United States.

South Asian

People born in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Burma (Myanmar), Laos, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Tibet. Specific countries may be noted in the annotation.

Vietnamese/Vietnamese American

• Vietnamese: People born in Vietnam.

• Vietnamese American: People of Vietnamese descent born in the United States.

Western European

People born in Western Europe. Specific cultures may be noted in annotation.

* This definition is derived from experts in the area of the African Diaspora. There has been much discussion as to African Americans being defined as people of African descent born in Americas. However, people of African descent born in Haiti, Tobago, Belize, and other areas in the Americas do not define themselves as African American.

** Until recently, "Filipino" referred to the people of the Philippines and "Pilipino" referred to the language. Currently, "Filipino" is being used to refer to both.