Ethnicity is definded as "ethnic traits, background, allegiance, or association" (Dictionary.com). Everyone has an ethnicity of some sort, from the blood of their ancestors to the sports team they participate in. Ethnicity is different from nationalism, in that nationalism is definded as "devotion and loyalty to one's own nation; patriotism" (Nationalism). Nationalism applies only to one's place of origin and the country from which they pledge their allegiance. It is hard to define where nationalism stops and ethnicity begins. According to Milton Yinger, "The boundaries of things of interest to social scientists are often drawn in different ways by different observers. Theoretical perspectives, ideologies, and the data being examined all affect the process of definition. Thus 'ethnic groups' range, in various usages, from small, relatively isolated, nearly primordial kin-and-culture groups within which much of life proceeds, all the way to large categories (not groups) of people defined as alike on the basis of one or two shared characteristics" (2). This would mean that ethnicity is your family history and where you 'kin group' originated from. It also links together people with shared characteristics. Ethnicity can cause conflict with other terms such as nationalism and race. By linking people with similar physical features ethnicity is then infringing on race.

Ethnicity can determine status, class, and culture for one who is close to their ethnic background. It can determine one's way of life if they adhere to the rules of their fore-fathers. It is a determining factor in some people's lives whither they live by the popular norm or if they follow the ways of their fathers. It is a matter of opinion and application where ethnicity begins and ends.

"Ethnicity." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 12 Oct. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethnicity>.

"Nationalism." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 12 Oct. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nationalism>.

Yinger, Milton J. Ethnicity Source of Strength? Source of Conflict? Albany, New York: The State University of New York Press, 1994.