Differentiate between race and ethnicity

Race refers to the socially constructed physical, genetic characteristics of a person. Ethnicity refers to the group he or she identifies with in a cultural fashion. For example, a person may be Caucasian racially, but identify in terms of his or her ethnicity as an Italian-American -- versus his or her Irish-American friend who is also classified according in same 'racial' category.

These identifications are not necessarily inevitable: although it seems as though race (like gender) is an easily-identifiable social characteristic, it is important to remember that many years ago Irish and Italian people were not considered truly 'American' or 'white' and only gradually, through a historical assimilation process were these differences erased in the cultural mindset. In Italy, regional conflicts are rife, but not nearly as manifest between Italians in the United States. 'Racial' and 'ethnic' identification is a fluid and ever-changing process, and...
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