Race in the United States is a person's self-identification with one or more social groups. Race is often associated with physical characteristics like skin color and hair texture, but it can be complex and has changed over time. Common racial categories in the United States:White: People who have origins in Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa Black or African American: People who have origins in sub-Saharan Africa American Indian or Alaska Native: People who have origins in North, Central, and South America Asian: People who have origins in the Far East, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: People who have origins in the Pacific Islands Hispanic or Latino: People who have origins in Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South or Central America, or other Spanish culture or origin The U.S. Census Bureau asks about race to help governments and communities enforce antidiscrimination laws. Other considerationsEthnicity refers to a group of people with a shared history. A person may identify more with an ethnicity than a race. Multi-racial Asian Americans are the fastest-growing subgroup of the Asian American population.
