“Ethnicity” is an anti-concept, used as a disguise for the word “racism”—and it has no clearly definable meaning. . . . The term “ethnicity” stresses the traditional, rather than the physiological characteristics of a group, such as language—but physiology, i.e., race, is involved . . . . So the advocacy of “ethnicity,” means racism plus tradition—i.e., racism plus conformity—i.e., racism plus staleness.

Rand’s rejection of the term “ethnicity,” and her explanation of the logical fallacies inherent in that term, are as important today as they were when she delivered this talk. As race becomes more prominent in the culture and in politics, and with a week to go until the general election, this discussion will focus on the damage this term is doing to cultural and political discourse, and the only proper solution to it.

You can listen to the talk here