Why is the label "Ethnic" given to all ppl, and things from non whites? Don't whites have an ethnicity also?

Question

The label ethnic is applied to various people, as well as things such as food, jewelry, hair, artwork etc. There is even a group on yahoo that is labeled "Ethnic Food" I've often wondered about this labeling, and how it applies if at all to White people, particularly those in the West, or if it is indeed a category for all things non-white?

Answer 1

Ethnic doesn't refer to "race" but to a cultural group, so technically, yes, "whites" can be ethnic too, but ethnic what?? They can be ethnic Germans, Serbs, Poles, etc. It refers to the social traditions that defines you and makes you part of a group, such as what you eat, socialize, etc.

Answer 2

That's a very good question.

Considering that 'pertaining to or characteristic of a people, sharing a common and distinctive culture, religion, language, or the like' is the definition of the word 'ethnic', this is a good example of how usage of a word by some societies more frequently in a context could change the perception of its real meaning!

However I must say that in multicutural societies this word is understood very clearly. In India which is non-white 'ethnicity' is very well understood, thanks to greatly developed multi cutural, ethnic dressing, art and jewellery!

Answer 3

that's a great question! but i think it usually doesn't refer to white ppl cuz the term 'white' is extremely general, there are whites of Celtic origin (Irish, Welsh...) Scandinavian(Swedish,danish...), Anglo( English, German..), French, Italian,Greek, Slavic nations and the list goes on. But the term 'ethnic' always refers to a very specific cultural group and because there isn't one very specific white culture ...well u get the picture.

oh n Yaz,r u habesha or have u been to Ethiopia and/or Eritrea?

Answer 4

Because it is in reference to culture and tends to signify things "not white". White has no culture behind it, but the various forms of white do, i.e British, German, European, American, Russian, etc. There has never been a "white" culture which is why there is no college major in "white" studies or "white" history.

Answer 5

no, whites in America do not have an ethnicity or a culture.

Answer 6

ha ha cause you know white people made up the lable, because its different from what they are, except in the south white and black make the same foods most of the time(not all). i never thought about this question before, so i guess the white people search for their recipes or etc it would be under "american" right?

Answer 7

All people, even whites have ethnicity. Our ethnicity is caucasian.