Optional Ethnicities: For Whites Only? MARY WATERS
-In her example of cross-ethnic misunderstanding, Waters describes the different responses to the syndicated column "Dear Abby," in which a reader wondered why:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This response addresses a common misunderstanding about asking someone of a different ethnicity where they are from. For some, this question can be seen as a way to inquire about a person's race or nationality, rather than simply their place of birth. This can create discomfort and is important to understand when communicating with people from diverse backgrounds.

Answer: D
 This response also highlights a cross-ethnic misunderstanding, specifically regarding intermarriage between different ethnic groups. The reader's assumption that Chinese- and Japanese-American males rarely intermarry with non-Chinese and -Japanese females may be based on stereotypes about these groups, rather than actual data about intermarriage rates. Understanding cultural norms and attitudes towards intermarriage is important for effective communication and relationship-building with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

However, option A is also a possible answer as it highlights the common stereotype of African Americans being seen as outstanding athletes.

Optional Ethnicities: for Whites Only? MARY WATERS