Race and Ethnicity as Lived Experience Chapter 8

Race: Myth and Reality Myth 1 - Idea That Any Race is Superior All Races Have Geniuses and Idiots Genocide Still Around Myth 2 - Idea that Any Race is Pure Human Characteristics Flow Endlessly Together

Race and Ethnicity Race - a category of people with inherited physical features that distinguish it from another category. Socially defined category based on real or perceived biological differences between groups of people Both a myth and a reality Ethnicity and ethnic – refer to cultural characteristics that distinguish people. A socially defined category based on common language, religion, nationality, history, or another cultural factor

Defining Race and Ethnicity (cont’d.) Sociologists see race and ethnicity as social constructions because Race isn’t based on biology (for instance, we don’t test DNA to determine race). Racial categories change over time. Racial categories never have firm boundaries. The distinction between race and ethnicity is important because ethnicity can be displayed or hidden, depending on individual preferences, while racial identities are always on display. Race isn’t based on biology (for instance, we don’t test DNA to determine race). Racial categories change over time. If you look at the U.S. census, you will see that the categories of races change very frequently. In fact, 2000 was the first year that respondents were allowed to select “one or more races” in the racial category. Prior to 2000, respondents were forced to select only one race, even if they would describe themselves as bi- or multiracial. Racial categories never have firm boundaries. Instead, the boundaries defining racial categories are flexible. For example, there is no set regulation for determining racial identity. A person may have ancestry from mixed descent yet may not identify with that descent. Or a person who was born in the United States, whose parents and grandparents were also born in the United States, might classify him- or herself as Cuban because a great-grandparent was from Cuba. 4

Definition of a Minority A minority refers to a relatively small number of people. Refined the definition to specify: a social group that is systematically denied access to power and resources available to the dominant groups of a society. a group of people who are physically or culturally singled out from others for unequal treatment & who regard themselves as objects of collective discrimination. Not necessarily a numerical minority or fewer in number than the dominant group

Racial and Ethnic Populations in the United States, 2013

U.S. Population by Race in 2060 For discussion: why is the racial make-up in the United States changing? What social factor might be influencing these trends?

Minority and Dominant Groups Dominant Group - Group with Most… Power Privileges Highest Social Status Dominant Group Does the Discriminating Minority Groups Occur Because of… Expansion of Political Boundaries Migration

Patterns of Racial and Ethnic Relations When different racial and ethnic groups interact there are two major types of outcomes: pattern of assimilation- groups become cultural and socially fused assimilation, multiculturalism pattern of conflict genocide, population transfer, internal colonialism, segregation

Patterns of Racial and Ethnic Relations

Racism Racism connects biological differences with judgment of innate superiority or inferiority. a set of beliefs about the claimed superiority of one racial or ethnic group Used to justify inequality Often rooted in the assumption that differences between groups are genetic Color-blind racism: an ideology that removes race as an explanation for any form of unequal treatment

Theories of Prejudice and Discrimination Prejudice – is prejudging in some way, usually negative; an overgeneralization based on biased or insufficient information; applied to all members of group; unlikely to change regardless of evidence; attitude/belief. Internalizing Dominant Norms Lighter/Darker Skin Ethnic Maps Discrimination – unequal treatment of people based on their minority membership or social group. Discrimination is action Usually motivated by prejudice

Theories of Prejudice and Discrimination Stereotype – a set of ideas based on distortion, exaggeration, and oversimplification that is applied to all members of a social category. Hate Crime – a criminal act motivated by prejudice (related to race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or ancestry).

Institutionalized Discrimination Institutionalized discrimination – negative treatment of a minority group that is built into society’s institutions. the result of unfair practices that are part of the structure of society and have grown out of traditionally accepted behaviors. American history reflects the open and legal practice of discrimination against members of various minorities (e.g., internment of Japanese Americans during WWII). Individual discrimination is discrimination carried out by one person against another.

The Social Construction of Race Racial passing, or living as if one is a member of a different racial category, has a long history in the United States. Double-consciousness: W.E.B. DuBois’s term for the divided identity experienced by blacks in the United States Race and ethnicity influence all aspects of our lives, including health, education, work, family, and interactions with the criminal justice system and health care The way that we are perceived in the physical world, our embodied identity, has historically been used as a basis for discrimination. This issue becomes particularly interesting today as we examine online communication, where our physical traits often remain hidden from those with whom we interact. 15

Institutional Discrimination Health Care Race – Ethnicity and Mother/Child Deaths

Institutional Discrimination Home Mortgages and Car Loans Buying a House: Institutional Discrimination in Mortgages

Functionalist Perspective Functionalists – Focus on the ways that race creates social ties and strengthens group bonds Acknowledge that such ties can lead to violence and social conflict between groups Focused on the functions and dysfunctions of prejudice and discrimination Functions: in-group solidarity and out-group antagonism Dysfunctions: negative; destroys human relationships; social, political, educational, and economic costs of the exploitation and oppression of minorities are extremely high.

Conflict Perspective Conflict perspective - Focuses on the struggle for power and control over scarce resources A majority uses its prejudice and discrimination as weapons of power in the domination of a minority. Ruling class systematically pits group against group. Solidarity among groups weakens = they benefit Keep Workers Insecure Exploit Racial-Ethnic Divisions Ex. Black / Latino conflict

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Prejudice and discrimination are acquired through socialization. The labels we learn color our perceptions – leading to selective perception (labels create prejudice) We see certain things and are blind to others We learn our prejudices in interaction with others. Self-fulfilling prophecy – Stereotypical behavior in those who are stereotyped Ex. Asians’ pressure to succeed

Theoretical Perspectives: Prejudice and Discrimination