Race / Identity Flashcards
Definition of Race
Race isn’t a fixed concept; Race is a historical construct that has different meanings in different places, there is no consistent definitions and often times views can be inaccurate and oversimplified
US
People are either black or white; Anyone with a degree of African ancestry makes them black
1 Drop Rule
Idea that 1 ancestor determines how you are viewed; 1 African ancestry = = “black” in US
Americas (Latin America / Caribbean)
Black, white, and in - between; Any degree of non-African ancestry makes them not black; More focused on physical appearance than biology; Mix-race / intermarriage is very common; Children might be a different “race” from their parents
Wealth in Americas
Class + Culture involved:
Different form of racial prejudice; White people have money; Colonels are never black no matter how dark their skin
North America
Race is biological - Biology = Destiny
Hispaniola
Haiti + Dominican Republic
Haiti
Black population dominated the country - African ancestry; Plantation slaves
Dominican Republic
Dominant population: Mulatto who identify with their Spanish ancestors; Doesn’t let people know they are mulatto (not on their identity cards) or have African roots because blacks are treated badly in this country
3 Major groups in DR
White, India, Dark Indian
1 Major group in Haiti
Only Haitian descents are “black”
White people in both societies
White people remained privileged; White person gets job even if he’s less qualified than black person
Dominican Republic Appearance
Being / looking white is the freedom to opportunity; Appearance counts more than ancestry, so most Dominicans wants to look as white as possible (changing their hair from afro to straight) -> However:
Hair treatment is very expensive -> Only the rich can straighten their hair that made them look refined (3 times a year); Looking white is another class other than color: Differentiate the rich and poor
Wealth in DR
Poor = “Black”; Dark-skinned Dominicans who wants to be black can’t identify as black; As long as you have food, you are “Dark Indian”
Marriage in DR
Marrying black = Worry about social position; In white families, children who marry blacks gets disinherited; Prefer marrying lighter skinned people -> Improve their own race -> Children have a higher chance of being whiter: More social mobility
