When you ask the question “Race vs. Class: What Really Matters?” » several important concepts need to be addressed first in order to sufficiently address this very complex issue. First, what do the terms “social class” and “race” mean? Furthermore, in determining what really matters, the context of this question is crucial, in other words, for WHO or WHAT or WHEN or WHERE or HOW each of these terms matters. All of these more specific questions are directly related to the answer and each can produce a contextually different explanation. So let's define the terms we evaluate and compare and at the same time try to identify which ones really matter and in what context. What is social class? Generally, social class is the status group with which we are identified within our society. Dictionary.com defines social class as “a broad group in society with a common economic, cultural, or political status.” As this definition illustrates, social class is related to status, and status is generally associated with lifestyle, prestige, and success. Although the primary basis of social class is economic, there are other important factors that determine class. These factors may include cultural, political, professional and social components. The importance of different levels of social class has also tended to be fluid throughout history and the tendency to value this hierarchical class system has been more relevant in some times and places than others. moments. Changes in social class can be affected by the economic stability, cultural growth, and political climate that occur in different eras of history. Historically, the concepts of social class and social class structure have been affected...... middle of document ......r health disparities and whether the focus should be on race or class, it seems that as long as we're arguing about what's most important, we're just maintaining the status quo. By diverting our attention to an “either/or” position and not working to improve the situation of “both,” we wrongly foster a social atmosphere that breeds inequality. It seems important, if not obvious, to note that a lack of agreement on the significant and far-reaching implications of the two terms: race and class only creates additional obstacles to any type of answer to the question. I will submit here the equally obvious conclusion that, for individuals who are defined by one or the other, or both, of class and race, both are undeniably significant. They are both socially defined arbitrary concepts that have life-shaping consequences. They both count. Neither should.