The terms race and ethnicity are sometimes used interchangeably. However, race and ethnicity are distinct concepts: Certain populations are categorized by race and ethnicity. The main purpose of the Race vs Ethnicity article is to examine the similarities and differences Between these two concepts. Simply put, race refers to physical characteristics and ethnicity refers to cultural affiliation. It can also be said that ethnicity is something you learn, while race is something you inherit.
The race is usually associated with biology and physical characteristics such as skin color or hair texture. A person’s ethnicity is related to their cultural expression and self-image. White or black skin is an example of race (both come from different parts of the world), while Italian or Canadian ancestry is an example of ethnicity (regardless of race)
Race definition
Around 1490 to 1500, the word “race” was first mentioned in this context. English adopted the word race from French, which in turn derived it from the Italian word razza, meaning “kind, race, or descent.” The origin of razza is unknown. The eponymous word race, which comes from Old Norse and means “context of speed,” is not related.
The word “race” is controversial in today’s society for several reasons: simply put, “race” is the term used to describe a person’s physical characteristics. Skin color, eye color, facial structure, and hair color are just a few examples of these characteristics. In biology, a race is a population that is distinct from the rest of a species, especially a subspecies; these populations often have only minor morphological and genetic differences. Although all humans belong to the same species there are minor genetic differences among humans that are reflected in a variety of physical characteristics, including differences in skin color, bone structure, and other physical traits. However, these morphological differences between races do not suggest a significant DNA difference. For example, the difference in DNA between two randomly selected individuals is less than 0.1 percent.
Ethnicity definition
Ethnicity has a shorter history than race, beginning about 1767-1775. Its basis is ethnic, a much older word dating back to 1300. The word ethnicity ultimately derives from the Greek word éthnos, meaning “nation, people.”
The term “ethnicity” is used to characterize a person’s cultural identity. Language, religion, nationality, ancestry, dress, and customs are some examples of these identities. Based on these shared cultural characteristics, people of a particular ethnicity tend to identify with each other. Ethnicity and race are related but complex concepts based on learned behaviors. For example, suppose a German child is adopted by an Arab family. It eats Arab food, speaks Arabic, and knows Arab history and culture. It may know nothing about German culture, language, or history. Nevertheless, it will always be treated as German by society, especially because its racial background is recognizable by its physical characteristics.
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Comparison chart for Race vs Ethnicity
| Point of comparison | Ethnicity | Race |
| Definition | A social group called an “ethnicity “is a group that has a unique and common culture, religion, language, etc. | “Race” is the term used to describe a person’s physical characteristics. Like Skin color, eye color, facial structure, etc. |
| Nature | Ethnicity is something you learned | Race is something you inherit |
| Variety | Narrow | Broad |
| Target | Ethnicity refers to cultural affiliation | Race refers to physical characteristics |
| Crossing | A member of one ethnicity can become a member of another. | A member of one race cannot become a member of another. |
| Law | In the last decades of the 20th century, both the legal system and official ideology in the United States and most other countries prohibited discrimination on the basis of ethnicity. | In the last decades of the 20th century, racial equality was emphasized by the legal system. |
| Appearance | A person’s ethnicity can occasionally be inferred from the way they dress. | Sometimes a person’s race can be inferred from their outward appearance. |
Summary of Race vs Ethnicity
So are race and ethnicity different from each other? The quick answer is yes, but it is quite complicated. The terms are used in very historical and often personal ways that overlap. In general, however, ethnicity refers to a shared cultural or national identity that may include language, nationality, religion, or other norms, while race refers to shared physical characteristics, especially skin color, and a common ancestry or historical experience based on those characteristics. . In this article, we tried to explain the difference between these two words completely. If you have any further questions about this article, do not hesitate to contact us.
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