Ethnicity

Definition

Race

An ethnic group or ethnicity is a population The term race refers to the concept of
of human beings whose members identify withdividing people into populations or groups
each other, on the basis of a real or a presumedon the basis of various sets of physical
common genealogy or ancestry.
characteristics (which usually result from
genetic ancestry).

Ethnicity connotes shared cultural traits

Race presumes shared biological or
and a shared group history. Some ethnic groups
genetic traits, whether actual or asserted. In
also share linguistic or religious traits, while the early 19th century, racial differences
others share a common group history but not awere ascribed significance in areas of
Significance common language or religion.
intelligence, health, and personality. There is
no evidence validating these ideas.

Genealogy

Ethnicity is defined in terms of shared

Racial categories result from a shared
genealogy, whether actual or presumed.
genealogy due to geographical isolation. In
Typically, if people believe they descend fromthe
a modern world this isolation has been
particular group, and they want to be associated
broken down and racial groups have mixed.
with that group, then they are in fact members of
that group.

Ethnic groups distinguish themselves

Races are assumed to be distinguished
differently from one time period to another. They
by skin color, facial type, etc. However, the
typically seek to define themselves but also arescientific basis of racial distinctions is very
defined by the stereotypes of dominant groups.weak. Scientific studies show that racial
Distinguishing Factors
genetic differences are weak except in skin
color.

In 19th century, there was development of

In 19th century, the concept of
the political ideology of ethnic nationalism -- nationalism was often used to justify the
creating nations based on presumed shared ethnic
domination of one race over another within
Nationalism
origins (e.g. Germany, Italy, Sweden...)
a specific nation.
In the last decades of the 20th century, in
In the last decades of the 20th century,
the U.S. and in most nations, the legal system as
the legal system as well as the official
Legal System well as the official ideology prohibited ethnic-ideology emphasized racial equality.
based discrimination.

Conflicts

Often brutal conflicts between ethnic

Racial prejudice remains a continuing
groups have existed throughout history and problem throughout the world. However,
across the world. But most ethnic groups in fact
there are fewer race-based conflicts in the
get along peacefully within one another in most
21st century than in the past.
nations most of the time.

Conflict between Tamil and Sinhalese

Conflict between white and Africanpopulations in Sri Lanka.
American people in the U.S., especially
Examples of conflict
during the civil rights movement.
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