Chapter 9 - Race and Ethnic Relations Flashcards
Race as a reality
- racial differences become important because people believe them to be
- assigning people to racial groups has social significance and people attach meaning to them
- sociologists were concerned with how people react to physical characteristics and the impact the reactions have on individuals
Race
A category of people who share observable physical characteristics and whom others see as being a distinct group
Ethnicity
The set of cultural characteristics that distinguishes one group from another group
Ethnic group
People who share a common cultural background and a common sense of identity
- ethnic groups must pass cultural beliefs and practices from generations to generation
- ethnic identity can cross racial or national boundaries
What is ethnicity based on?
National origin, religion, language, customs and values
What is the difference between ethnicity and race?
Ethnicity is based on cultural traits, while race is based on physical traits
Minority group
A group of people who–because of their physical characteristics or cultural practices–are singled out and treated unequally
- the term has nothing to do with group size, but with unequal standing in society in relation to a dominant group
Race as a myth
- many people think that humankind can be sorted into biologically distinct groups called RACES
- no such thing as a “pure” example of different races and each person can only belong to one race (based on skin color, hair texture, physical characteristics)
- however, we all belong to human race
- there are greater differences within racial groups than between racial groups
Dominant group
Group that possesses the ability to discriminate by virtue of its greater power and social status in a society
What is the dominant group in America?
White people with Northern European ancestry
Characteristics that distinguish minority groups
- possess physical or cultural characteristics that differ from the dominant group
- recipients of unequal treatment at the hands of the dominant group
- member in the group is an ascribed status
- share a strong bond and sense of group loyalty
- tend to practice endogamy
- patterns of inter group relations
Discrimination
The denial of equal treatment to individuals based on their group membership
- can occur on an individual or social level
Legal discrimination
Upheld by law
Institutionalized discrimination
Outgrowth of the structure of a society
Prejudice
An unsupported generalization about a category of people
Stereotype
Over simplified, exaggerated, or unfavorable generalization about a group
Self-fulfilling prophecy
A prediction resulting in behavior that fulfillsthe prophecy
Racism
The belief that ones own race is superior
Robert K. Merton
Argued that prejudice and discrimination are related, but do not always go hand-in-hand
- people combine them in four ways
- – active bigot
- – the timid bigot
- – the fair weather liberal
- – the all weather liberal
The active bigot
Is prejudiced and openly discriminatory
Timid bigot
Is prejudiced, but afraid to discriminate because of societal pressures
The fair-weather liberal
Not prejudiced but discriminates anyway because of societal pressure
The all-weather liberal
Not prejudiced and does not discriminate
How do sociologists explain discrimination and prejudiced?
They are embedded in social norms
How do psychologists explain discrimination and prejudice?
- Prejudiced people have an authoritarian personality type
- prejudice may be the result of frustration and anger
- scapegoating
Scapegoating
Occurs when an innocent person or group is blamed for one’s troubles
How does economics explain discrimination and prejudiced?
- Prejudice arises out of competition for resources
- dominant group may encourage competition between minority groups in order to maintain its dominant status
Patterns of minority group treatment
- Cultural pluralism
- Assimilation
- Legal Protection
- Segregation
- Subjection
- Population Transfer
- Extermination
Cultural pluralism
A policy that allows each group within society to keep its unique identity
- Switzerland is an example with three official languages
Assimilation
The blending of culturally distinct groups into a single group with a common culture and identity
- American idea of “melting pot”
- can happen informally or by force
Legal protection
The rights of minorities are protected by law
- United States is an example
- includes affirmative action laws
Segregation
Policy that physically separates a minority group from the dominant
- “de jure” segregation is based in laws
- “de facto” segregation is based on custom and informal norms
Subjugation
Practice whereby dominance is maintained by force
- most extreme form is slavery
- South Africa’s system of apartheid is an example
Population transfer
Separation of groups by transferring the minority population to a new territory
- “indirect” transfer occurs when the dominant group makes life for minorities so miserable that they leave
- “direct” transfer involves using force to move people to new locations
Extermination
Most extreme; goal is elimination
- genocide
- ethnic cleansing
Genocide
The goal of complete destruction of a minority group
- holocaust and Rwanda
Ethnic cleansing
The combination of extermination and transferal
- Serbia and Sudan are examples
What is the American dilemma?
- The gap between what Americans claim to believe and how they actually behave
- Americans have not always lived up to the ideals of freedom and equality dealing with minority group
- conflict dates back to colonial times
- minority groups have prospered in relation to how closely they adapt to the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) ideal
African American group
- 12% population
- experiences historically shaped by slavery, discrimination, and segregation
- Civil Rights Movement brought significant gains towards equality
- some negative trends in education, employment, and income that reveal continuing inequality
- since 1965 legislation, the number of black reps in govt has grown quickly
- organizations such as the National Urban League work to empower African Americans
- environmental racism
Environmental racism
Racial bias in environmental polices and practices
Hispanic American group
- largest minority group
- trace their heritage to Spain or Spanish-speaking Latin American countries
- population of Hispanic is growing faster than general population
- 1960s mostly from Mexico, Cuba, and Puerto Rico
- central and South American immigrants are now more common
- came to U.S. to seek political freedom and economic opportunity
- estimated in 2014 that there are more than 11.3 million illegal immigrants in the uniformed states; majority are Hispanic
- Hispanics now hold more than 6,000 appointed and elected positions
- poverty rate is double that of white Americans
Asian American group
- 5% of the population
- earliest to arrive were Chinese and Japanese
- immigrants from Asian countries are now here, including Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Pakistan
- projected to be 8 percent of population by 2050
- have used education to move up economic ladder
- median income is higher for Asian Americans than for other groups
- some call Asian Americans “the model minority” because of their quick assimilation
- Asian Americans face higher rates of stress, depression, mental illness and suicide attempts
Native American Group
- 2.9 million individuals
- original inhabitants of the United States
- disease, warfare, and destruction of traditional ways of life have reduced numbers dramatically
- U.S. Government took traditional lands and forced Native Americans onto reservations
- polices encouraged assimilation into white culture
- today 55% on reservations
- statistics reveal dire challenges for Native American populations
- pan-indianism
Pan-Idianism
A social and political movement that united culturally distinct Native American nations to work together on issues that affect all Native Americans
White ethnics
- immigrants from mainly Catholic countries of Ireland, Italy, France, Poland, Greece
- faced discrimination by white Protestant majority
Jewish Americans
- focus their ethnic identity on their religion
- faced anti-semitism
Anti-Semitism
Discrimination and prejudice against Jews
Arab Americans
- 3.5 million Arab Americans
- Arab Americans face new discrimination after the Arab-led terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001
