Ethnicity & Identity Flashcards
What is an ethnic identity made up of?
Our religion, language, where we live, our ethnic origin, skin colour, and so on
What did Grumman find when studying British Asian identities?
- Tradition, family values, and religion were seen as an important part in raising 2nd gen Asians.
- Asian children tend to be socialised into the extended family, with emphasis on duty, loyalty, honour and religious commitment.
Who discusses the ‘black Atlantic’?
Gilroy
What did Gilroy find?
Argued for the term ‘Black Atlantic’ to describe an identity that was not specifically rooted in the UK or in their country origin.
He said the shared experience of racism and powerlessness can transcend differences in backgrounds and history to create a black identity.
Who studied the white British ethnic identity and the ‘backlash’ against multiculturalism?
Hewitt
What did Hewitt find when studying the white backlash against multiculturalism?
The white community, especially those from a working class background, saw ‘positive discrimination’ as unfair. They felt the need to defend their ethnic identity.
Who says there’s a tendency for ethnic minorities to ‘turn inwards’ to seek support from their own community as a response to racism?
Cashmore and Troyna
How may ‘turning inwards’ impact the ethnic identity?
Religion and culture may be strengthened, as they become key sources of identity and support.
Who suggests the experience of racism unified the culture and identity of African- Caribbeans in the UK?
James
What did James say was the impact of racism for African Caribbeans?
A shared oppositional culture grew, organised around the label ‘black’ as a resistance to racism.
What did Jacobson find when studying young Pakistanis?
They adopt a strong Islamic identity as a response to social exclusion from white British society. It gives them a sense of stability and security to the marginalisation.
How are ethnic identities changing?
- Modood found a number of generational differences over the issue of identity, suggesting second generation ethnic minorities felt much more British than their parents, whilst still seeing their ethnic origin as important.
- Back: Found cultural hybridity in two council estates in London. Local youths from all ethnic backgrounds developed a shared identity based on mixed identity and ’neighbourhood nationalism’.
- Postmodernists argue the hybridity presented means ethnicity is becoming less clear cut and significant. It’s more about choice now due to globalisation.
- hybrid identities (Neyak, Hebdige, Johal…)
What sociologists discuss ethnicity and identity?
- Gilroy- black Atlantic
- Hewitt- positive discrimination
- James- racism unified African Caribbeans
- Cashmore and Troyna- turning inwards
- Modood- 2nd gen
- Jacobson- the Islamic identity unified
- Grumman- how 2nd gems are raised
