Final answer:
Ethnicity refers to shared cultural traits and is distinct from race, which is based on perceived physical differences. Minority groups are described by their relative lack of power in society, and ethnicity is used by individuals and institutions for identification purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ethnicity is a term that describes shared culture and national origin, distinct from race which is often seen as based on physical characteristics and is a social construct. While race and ethnicity are sometimes used interchangeably, they have different meanings; ethnicity encompasses the practices, norms, values, and beliefs of a group.
This might include language, religion, traditions, and other commonalities. For example, different ethnic groups such as Irish, Italian American, Russian, Jewish, and Serbian may all fall under the 'White' racial category, yet they have distinct cultural identities. Additionally, the concept of minority groups refers to groups that are subordinate or have less power in society, and this is not solely based on skin color or origin.
The sociological focus on race and ethnicity, often connected to issues of minority status and power dynamics, has its foundations in the work of sociologists like W.E.B. Du Bois. It's important to understand that while national origin or nationality can correlate with ethnicity, they are not synonymous.
Nations may contain multiple ethnic groups, which can lead to misconceptions and overly simplistic classifications of people.
Historically, the creation of ethnic categories may have been influenced by practices such as slavery, where Europeans developed distinct ethnic identities for the purpose of economic efficiency.
Today, ethnicity continues to be a key method of identification, utilized by individuals and institutions alike in contexts such as census data collection, diversity initiatives, and nondiscrimination laws.