Ethnicity Defined

 

What is ethnicity?

"ethnicity (n) a term which represents social groups with a shared history, sense of identity, geography and cultural roots which may occur despite racial difference Let's consider Puerto Ricans as an example of an ethnicity. Many Puerto Ricans represent various blends of White, Red and/or Black races and yet they refer to themselves collectively as Boricuas. Despite color difference, Puerto Ricans share an ethnicity. Ethnicity shapes a group's culture - the food, language, music, and customs."

Ethnicity is culture that you obtain through your parents and your parents, parents, passed down ideas and beliefs that are given to future generations.

Justin, Gr. 11

 

What is race?

"race (n) a human population considered distinct based on physical characteristics. It is important to note that race is predominantly a social construct - in other words, scientists have discovered that only 2 percent of our genes are ultimately responsible for the visible differences such as skin color. Although it is not an exact science, social groups play a very important role in defining the rules of race."

Race is a byproduct of people's definition. It’s the outward appearance of people, who they are physically--the color of skin, as seen by others. In biology, race is a very small part of who we are as human beings. - Justin, Gr. 11

 

Ethnicity

Ethnicity deals with your culture/background. Being Samoan is my ethnicity.  Race is the species that you are. Since I’m a human I am a part of the human race. 

We are losing a lot of languages such as Samoan, Korean, Japanese, etc. The reason we are losing these languages is because the majority of people either speak Spanish or English, so they have to adapt. Some people don’t learn English because they are unable to or they are too proud of their ethnicity that they refuse to learn any other language besides their own.

This impacts a lot of people’s culture because they either forget their traditions or they are never taught them and the culture is lost. Most ethnicities everywhere get along great, but there are some that do not get along because of their views. By L, Gr. 10