Quick Thought On Being a Minority

I’ve long thought that the terms “minority” and “majority” are useless without context.  First, it depends on what one is talking about.  I am a white person.  In that regard, I am in the Majority in West Bend.  I am also a Lutheran male.  In that regard, I am in the minority in West Bend.  If you add up the women and men of other religions, I am far outnumbered.  One can only really use the terms “minority” and “majority” if one specifies to what the term is being applied.

Second, the scope of the characterization must also be specified - whether geographically or otherwise.  As a white person, I am in the majority in Wisconsin, but a minority in the world.  When I lived in Riyadh, I was part of a tiny minority.  As a voter, I am in the minority almost all of the time except most Presidential elections, when I join the majority. 

“Minority” and “majority” are relative terms that one should view dubiously if they are thrown out without the relevant context.