Thursday 30 December 2010

What is Ethnicity?

Ethnicity - is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, consisting of a common language, a common culture/religion and a tradition of common ancestry. Often, ethnicity also connotes shared cultural, linguistic, behavioural or religious traits.

Members of an ethnic group are conscious of belonging to an ethnic group; ethnic identity is further marked by the recognition from others of a group's distinctiveness. Membership of an ethnic group is likely to imply certain very specific health risks and needs.

Ethnicity is a major factor affecting the health of individuals and communities. While the 'ethnicity' (or 'ethnic group') describe many national differences in the way that ethnic groups are described, it is also said that 'ethnicity' is a socially constructed identity, and doesn’t genetically determine behaviour and the qualities of the individual.


Examples and Stereotypes of Ethnicity:
  - British - self-deprecating, posh/snobby, roast dinners, cups of tea, bad teeth
  - Mexicans - poncho, nachos, tequilla slammers
  - Irish - guiness, leprechauns,  gypsies, accent
  - Catholics - close-minded, religious, no sex before marriage
  - Indians - curry, wear hijab, arranged marriages, henna, bindi spots
  - Americans - 'fake', plastic surgery, ignorant, overweight, dramatic
  - Muslims - terrorists, wear head coverings, pray a lot, Allah
  - Black people - 'gangsters', violent/aggressive, hooligans/criminals, guns/knives, drug dealers, athletic

4 comments:

  1. My darling please know by following this link what is actually meant by Islam

    http://www.islam-guide.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. What are the positive attributes of each ethnicity?

    ReplyDelete
  3. 'Gypsies' are an ethnic group in their own right although the term itself is actually derogatory, used in the English speaking world purely for the purpose of discrimination and prosecution.

    A large number of travelers are of Irish decent. A large number are Roma. The rest chose to live with us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Diversity only exists in White countries.
    Diversity is just a code word for less White people.
    Stop White Genocide.

    ReplyDelete