I don't think it needs to be anything. I think it's at best a vague, inconsistent concept no better grounded than that of nation or race, with which it's often conflated/confused, understandably. As I said, I know from experience, including my own heritage
Presumably you think it needs to be precise and consistent? But regardless, I'm not sure why you mentioned 'scientific' in your critique?
I don't think it's precise, consistent or scientific, or meaningfully distinguishable by most people from nationality or in some cases race. If you think otherwise, fine. Some supposed ethnicities are just recent made-up constructs, like "British"
Yes I know, you mentioned a couole of posts ago that you thought the concept of ethnicity was "vague" and "inconsistent". The logical extension of your point is that you believe the concept needs to be precise and consistent. Interestingly you've mentioned 'scientific' again but haven't...
... explained why you believe that's significant? All ethnicities are constructs.
And often unhelpful ones at that, as well as being confused with nations. They should not be relied on
So you would agree that all ethnicities are constructs? Presumably then you have the same disregard for any individual's identification with any ethnic group? It appeared you might have a particular prejudice against British people in Northern Ireland but perhaps not?
People can say what they want but are often inconsistent. On Ireland, I believe its division is a travesty and not justified because a minority on the island living in part of Ulster think they're somehow British, even though that really means Protestants of Scots descent
Actually the British ethnic group in Northern Ireland has strands of both Scottish and English descent. It is what it is, we found a path to peace and we look to the future. And if the people of Northern Ireland ever decide to reunite with Ireland, the British ethnic minority aren't going anywhere.
Doesn't sound much like a meaningful ethnicity. More like a religious holdout that was a great excuse for the UK to do what it used to do best and impose division. I'd worry that Farage will fuck things up again though. And no one should ever be forced from where they've lived for centuries
It's not really for you or I to say. I try to make a habit of avoiding belittling the ethnic identity of others.