nonwhite

Nonwhite is a social and demographic term used to describe people who are not classified as white within a given population or context. It is a relative, umbrella label meant to encompass a range of racial and ethnic groups, including those of African, Asian, Indigenous, Latino, Middle Eastern, and mixed descent, among others. The term is commonly encountered in sociological research, public policy, and discussions of representation and inequality.

Historically, nonwhite emerged in the mid-20th century as scholars and policymakers sought to analyze disparities affecting communities outside the category of whiteness. It is not an official census category in most countries; rather, it serves as a way to group populations for comparative analysis or to describe systemic differences across groups.

Criticism of the term centers on its broad scope and its potential to obscure differences among distinct communities. By treating diverse groups as a single category, it can mask varied experiences, cultures, and outcomes. The term can also imply whiteness as the norm, which some find problematic or outdated. As a result, many researchers and institutions prefer more precise descriptors (for example, Black, Asian, Indigenous, Latino) or the broader, more inclusive label "people of color" in appropriate contexts, while others may use self-identification when possible.

In contemporary usage, nonwhite may still appear in analyses of disparities and representation, but its acceptability and usefulness vary by region, discipline, and purpose.