What distinguishes "ethnicity" from race?

Ethnicity is distinguished from race primarily by its focus on shared cultural practices, traditions, languages, and social customs that are often rooted in a particular group’s historical experiences and social identity. Ethnicity encompasses aspects such as food, religion, values, and art, which foster a sense of community and belonging among individuals who share these cultural traits. This cultural dimension emphasizes that ethnicity is about identity and the ways people engage with their heritage and each other, making it a socially constructed concept.

In contrast, race is often linked to physical characteristics, such as skin color, facial features, and hair type, which are typically viewed as innate biological traits. While race is also a socially constructed category, the emphasis on biological determinism often dominates racial discourse.

Understanding this distinction is crucial in sociology as it helps in analyzing how these identities interact and impact social dynamics, including issues like privilege, inequality, and social cohesion.