Differences between Ethnicity- and Race
Differences between ethnicity and race
The terms race and ethnicity are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different concepts.[1] Race is a social construct that groups people based on perceived shared physical traits.[2] Ethnicity, on the other hand, is a term for a group of people who identify with each other based on a shared culture.[3] This can include a common language, ancestry, religion, or history.[2][3] While race is often seen as something based on biology, it is not a biological category. It is a social construct that has been used to create social hierarchies.[4] Ethnicity is also a social construct, but it is one that people can choose to identify with.[5]
Comparison Table
| Category | Race | Ethnicity |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Socially constructed category based on perceived physical characteristics like skin color and facial features.[2] | Based on shared cultural factors such as language, ancestry, religion, and national origin. |
| Nature | Often externally imposed by society. | Generally involves self-identification and a sense of belonging to a group.[5] |
| Flexibility | Considered a less fluid category that is difficult for an individual to change. | More fluid; an individual's ethnic identity can change over time through assimilation or acculturation.[3] |
| Connection | Not based on genetics. | Can be associated with a shared ancestral or geographic origin. |
| Example | A person may be identified as Black, White, or Asian. | A person may identify as Irish, Japanese, or Nigerian. |
While the two concepts are distinct, they can overlap. An individual's race and ethnicity can be the same, or they can be different. For example, a person may be racially identified as White and have an Irish ethnicity. Or, a person could be racially identified as Black and have a Jamaican ethnicity. Both race and ethnicity have been used to categorize and, at times, divide people.[5] The meanings and importance of race and ethnicity can also change depending on the social and historical context.[4]
