Ethnic Whites
Descendents of European immigrants who maintain some elements of their ancestral culture. Within the context of the article, the point is made that immigration to America occurred from many European countries, which led to a diverse population of white people from various ethnic backgrounds—specifically Irish, German, Polish, Italian, Greek, and Jewish heritage. Author Emily Chiariello asserts that it is important to care about the history of these white ethnic groups and to include them in a conversation about the relationship between ethnicity, meaning people who have a common national and cultural tradition, and race, meaning people who have common physical or biological traits.
Ethnic whites refer to individuals who identify as white but also identify with a specific ethnic or national heritage. While whiteness has historically been used as a catch-all category that implies a lack of specific culture or ethnicity, ethnic whites assert their unique cultural heritage as a part of their identity.
For example, a person of Irish descent who identifies as white may also consider themselves an ethnic white, as they celebrate and maintain cultural traditions and customs specific to the Irish culture. Similarly, individuals of Italian, Polish, or German descent may also identify as ethnic whites.
The concept of ethnic white has gained prominence in recent years as a way for individuals to openly embrace and celebrate their unique cultural identities, while also recognizing the privilege and advantages that whiteness affords in society. It challenges the notion that all white individuals are the same, and provides a more nuanced perspective on the diversity within the white population.
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