Race, Bigotry, Prejudice, Racism Defining terminology

Race: Belief that observable differences in skin color (and other perceived physical attributes) are connected to other differences between people; believed by many to be biological, but really there is nothing biologically different about people of different races. Race is a social construct, but its effects (both positive and negative) are very real.

Race as a Social Construct-- what does that mean?

Michael Eric Dyson on the Colbert Report Now, watch historian Michael Eric Dyson interviewed by Stephen Colbert on the Colbert Report. How does he define prejudice and racism? http://www.cc.com/video-clips/pajwaw/the- colbert-report-michael-eric-dyson

Bigotry and Prejudice Prejudice: Learned prejudgement based on stereotypes about a social group that someone belongs to. This is individual; we all have learned prejudices. Bigotry: Intolerance toward those who hold different opinions than oneself

Discrimination Unfair action toward a social group and its members that is based upon prejudice about that group. Discrimination occurs at the individual level.

Oppression Prejudice + discrimination + POWER = oppression One group is able to enforce its prejudice and discrimination against another group throughout society-- (it is no longer individual)

Racism A form of oppression in which one racial group dominates others. In the United States, the dominant group is white, therefore racism is racial and cultural prejudice and discrimination, supported intentionally or unintentionally by institutional power and authority, and used to the advantage of whites and the disadvantage of people of color. In other words, its oppression based on race.

What does racism look like in the United States today?