Chapter 9 - Race, Ethnicity and Ancestary Flashcards
Race
Is a social definition based on real biological characteristics. (skin colour, hair texture) Modern idea created by humans. Ancient societies would have people divided by language and religion.
Ethnic Group
Defined on the basis of real presumed cultural characteristic, such as language, religion, traditions and cultural practices.
Ancestry
Is based on having an enduring and legitimate claim to being the first inhabitants of a specific geographical space.
How is Race different from Ethnicity
- Assignment from others
- Reflects power relations
- Implies inherent difference in worth
What assumptions do we have about race?
- Physical distinct especially skin colour - Defined by rigid boundaries - Racial status inherited - Shared behavioural characteristics - Hierarchal structure
Hypo descent Rule
” One Drop Rule “ If someone had the smallest amount of black blood in them they would be fully considered black. (eg. Barack Obama)
Race Science
- Science has been used as justification to propose, project and enact racist social policies.
- Social Darwinism: racial differences result of evolutionary differences, with one race better than others.
Eugenics
Gregor’s Mendels work on genetics let to the development of Eugenics. In Germany created Anti - Semitism, racism, sterilizations, immigration restrictions and opposed interracial marriage.
The Case of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
Subjects never told they were in an experiment. False basic essential aid treatments, Prevented from seeing doctors. Found a cure then 40 yrs later the unethical method were basically murder.
Historical Thinking about Race
In the 19th and 20th centuries there were scientific justifications for treating people of other races differently . Scientific justified unequal distribution of wealth, power and prestige
Oscar Lewis “The Children of Sanchez”
Ethnographic studies of small Mexican communities, saw approx. 50 attributes shared within these communities. “ That people in poverty share a consistent and observable “culture” (the way they are)
The Fluidity of Racial Categories
- there is nothing intrinsic about any racial group that makes it distinct from any other (our genes do not clearly mark racial groups)
- race is dynamic and fluid concept
- the Hypo-descent rule (one drop rule): If any drop of blood of being African american or any other race makes you that certain race no matter what.
Racial And Ethnic Identities(Oppressed)
- Some assigned to a subordinate race physically resemble the dominant race
- others straighten, curl or colour
- others lighten their skin
- some undergo rhinoplasty/surgery
Colourism
Discriminatory treatment of individuals falling within the same racial group of the basis of skin colour. Based on pigmentocracy hierarchy based on skin hues. Globally darker skin is correlated with lower status.
Multiculturalism
U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960’s helped in fostering this change and so did human rights. An understanding of racial, ethnic and ancestral diversity.