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anthropology

In anthropology: The study of ethnicity, minority groups, and identity
Ethnicity refers to the identification of a group based on a perceived cultural distinctiveness that makes the group into a “people.” This distinctiveness is believed to be expressed in language, music, values, art, styles, literature, family life, religion, ritual, food,…
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ethnic conflict

In ethnic conflict: Ethnic identity, ethnicity, and ethnic group
On the other side, ethnicity is just as much based on intangible factors—namely, on what people believe, or are made to believe, to create a sense of solidarity among members of a particular ethnic group and to exclude those who are not members.
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In ethnic conflict: Theories of ethnic identity
…as the primordialist approach, explains ethnicity as a fixed characteristic of individuals and communities. According to primordialists, ethnicity is embedded in inherited biological attributes, a long history of practicing cultural differences, or both. Ethnic identity is seen as unique in intensity and durability and as an existential factor defining individual…
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In ethnic conflict: Theories of ethnic identity
…by those who argue that ethnicity, in contrast to political affiliations, cannot be willfully decided on by individuals and is instead rooted in and regulated by the society as a whole. Advocates of another school of thought, known as social constructivism, focus on the social nature of ethnic identity. In…
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In ethnic conflict: Theories of ethnic identity
The concrete expression of ethnicity and its propensity to lead to violence and warfare depend on the context. Ethnic identities are adaptable to and activated by unexpected threats and new opportunities. Ethnicity cannot be politicized unless an underlying core of memories, experience, or meaning moves people to collective action.…
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Hannibal ethnicity and appearance issues

Native American history

In Native American: Native American ethnic and political diversity
Ethnicity is most frequently equated with some aspect of language, while social or political organization can occur on a number of scales simultaneously. Thus, a given set of people might be defined as an ethnic group through their use of a common dialect or language…
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racism

In race: The difference between racism and ethnocentrism
Ethnicity, which relates to culturally contingent features, characterizes all human groups. It refers to a sense of identity and membership in a group that shares common language, cultural traits (values, beliefs, religion, food habits, customs, etc.), and a sense of a common history. All humans…
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sports

In sports: Race, ethnicity, and sports
In sports, as elsewhere in society, there is a tendency to explain differences in performance in terms of some alleged physical differences between races. When Austrians do well at skiing and Swedes excel at tennis, cultural explanations have been sought through the…
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