I now not only understand the importance of knowing how race and ethnicity are used, but I know what they mean and how they can potentially reduce health disparities in society. I was one of those people who used the terms interchangeably. I knew they weren't exactly the same, but because they were so similar I had never really thought about their differences and how they might impact health disparities. I now understand that race and ethnicity can provide different information about individuals and their health status. I had prior knowledge of what cultural competence was and how it can create barriers to healthcare. However, after reading The Spirit That Catches You and Falls, I feel I have a better and more visual understanding of how cultural differences can interfere with the quality of care and contribute to racial and ethnic disparities. It was very interesting to read a non-fiction story about how a lack of cultural competence can have negative effects on the ability of American doctors to provide appropriate healthcare to individuals or groups with different values, beliefs, or attitudes.