Final answer:
In the United States, racial minority groups include Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. The term 'minority' encompasses both racial and ethnic groups, reflecting a lack of power and distinct characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The racial minority groups that are usually distinguished in the United States include various populations that are identified by shared physical characteristics, cultural practices, or both. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, these groups most commonly include Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A majority group, or dominant group, is typically the group with the most power, resources, and social status, which in the U.S. is represented by White Americans. On the other hand, a minority group, or subordinate group, lacks power comparatively and has distinct physical or cultural characteristics that are recognized. The term racial minority not only involves race but also accommodates ethnic categorizations, where 'Hispanic or Latino' serves as an ethnicity rather than a race, showing the complexity in distinguishing these groups.