UNDERSTANDING RACE AND ETHNICITY CHAPTER 1

SOCIOLOGY OF INTERGROUP RELATIONS THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVESTHEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES FunctionalismFunctionalism Conflict TheoryConflict Theory Labeling TheoryLabeling Theory Subordinate groups created by processes of: Immigration Annexation Colonialism

Process of expulsion may remove the presence of a subordinate group ASSIMILATIONASSIMILATION Demands subordinate-group conformityDemands subordinate-group conformity PLURALISMPLURALISM Implies mutual respect between diverse groupsImplies mutual respect between diverse groups Assimilation and pluralism are significant for racial and ethnic oppression in the US today

What is a Subordinate group? What does and does not determine minority group status? Minority status is not based on the size of a group Minority/Majority group membership is not necessarily mutually exclusive Minority status may vary according to geopolitical boundaries Minority/Majority is related to the distribution of power

What are the five characteristics that defines a minority/subordinate group? 1. Unequal treatment and less power over one’s life 2. Distinguishing physical or cultural traits that the dominant group holds in low regard 3. Involuntary membership or ascribed status 4. Group solidarity awareness of subordinate status and oppression 5. Marital endogamy - patterns of in-group marriage

Types of Subordinate Groups Racial groups - are groups that are set apart on the basis of obvious physical differences within a society What is obvious is relative to the group or society Ethnic groups - are groups that are set apart on the basis of cultural traits and nationality Religious groups - consists of religious associations that are set apart from the dominant religion Gender groups - such as women who are set apart on the basis of sex Other subordinate groups - are those that are set apart on the basis of age, disability or sexual orientation

Does Race Matter? Biological school of thought and meaning of race Racial groups as genetically discrete population groups are based on the following: There are subpopulations within the human race That one sub-group may be distinguished biologically from another on the basis of genetic traits

Criticisms of the Biological View Idea of Biological Race is based on mistaken notion of a genetically isolated human groupIdea of Biological Race is based on mistaken notion of a genetically isolated human group Genetic traits are continuous so it is impossible to state where one group begins and ends and another starts Within group, variations are greater than differences between groups Each trait is independent from the other Human species contain no subgroups

Social Construction of Race Race is important because of the social meaning people have attached to it Race is a social construct based on how people define themselves and others on physical and social characteristics Racial classifications are a function of how people define, label and categorize themselves and others into groups RacismRacism The feeling that certain groups or races are inherently superior to others

Racial Formation A socio-historical process by which racial categories are created, inhibited, transformed, and destroyed Powerful define groups of people in a way that depends on a racist social structure Dominant group has the power to impose its racial definitions onto others In Southern U.S., social construction was known as the “one-drop rule”

Stratification by Class and Gender StratificationStratification The structured ranking of entire groups that perpetuates unequal rewards and power in a society Class or Social RankingClass or Social Ranking People who share similar wealth, according to Weber’s definition Upward mobility may be difficult for subordinate group members faced with lifelong prejudice and discrimination

Sociology and the Study of Race and Ethnicity Ethnic and racial stratificationEthnic and racial stratification The structure and process by which race and ethnicity determines life chances and access to socially desirable resources such as housing, justice, education, wealth, power, etc. Stratification is interconnected by Racial Ethnic Religious Age Gender

Theoretical Perspectives Functionalist PerspectiveFunctionalist Perspective society is like a living organism in which each part contributes to the whole and emphasizes how the parts of society are structured to maintain its stability The five functions of racial inequality Racist ideologies provides justification for unequal treatment Discourages subordinate people from attempting to question their low status Justify existing practices but also serves as a rallying point for social movements Racists beliefs provide support for the existing social order Relieve the dominant group of responsibility to address the economic and educational problems faced by subordinate groups

Dysfunctions of racial inequalityDysfunctions of racial inequality Fail to utilize all human potential and limits the search for talent and leadership to the dominant group Aggravates social problems and places the financial burden of alleviating those problems on the dominant group Investment of time and money to defend barriers that prevent full participation of all Undermines diplomatic ties between nations and affect efforts to increase global trade Inhibits social change because this may assist a subordinate group Promotes disrespect for law enforcement and the peaceful settlements of disputes

Conflict Perspective Assumes the social structure is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups The subordinate group is criticized for its low status and the dominant’s group responsibility is often ignored Ryan (1976) “Blaming the Victim”“Blaming the Victim” – portraying the problems of racial and ethnic minorities as their fault rather than recognizing society’s responsibility

Labeling Approach Related to the conflict perspective and its concern over blaming the victim and is titled labeling theoryRelated to the conflict perspective and its concern over blaming the victim and is titled labeling theory Labeling TheoryLabeling Theory Concept introduced by Howard Becker Attempt to explain why certain people are viewed as deviant and others engaging in the same behavior are not Stereotypes Unreliable generalizations about all members of a group that do not take individual differences into account and is not limited to racial and ethnic groups

The Creation of Subordinate-Group Status Population Migration – 1 st PatternPopulation Migration – 1 st Pattern Emigration or leaving an area to move elsewhere such as the Irish leaving Ireland Immigration or coming into an area such as the Irish coming to the United States. Immigration may be voluntary or it may be involuntary Populations usually migrate because of a combination of push and pull factors

Annexation – 2 nd PatternAnnexation – 2 nd Pattern An indigenous group is incorporated into another society Colonialism – 3 rd PatternColonialism – 3 rd Pattern The political, socio-cultural and economic domination of an indigenous population by a foreign power Internal ColonialismInternal Colonialism Relations between the colonizer and the colony are similar to those between the dominant and subordinate people within the same country

The Consequences of Subordinate- Group Status GenocideGenocide Systematic extermination of subordinate group at the hands of the dominant group ExterminationExtermination The forcing of a specific subordinate group to leave certain areas or even vacate a country SecessionSecession A group ceases to be a subordinate group when it secedes to form a new nation or moves to an established nation, where it becomes dominant

SegregationSegregation The physical separation of two groups in residence, workplace, and social functions, generally imposed by the dominant group FusionFusion Occurs when a minority and majority group combine to form a new group AmalgamationAmalgamation The process by which a dominant group and a subordinate group combine through intermarriage Melting PotMelting Pot Diverse racial or ethnic groups form a new creation, a new cultural identity

AssimilationAssimilation The process by which a subordinate individual or group takes on the characteristics of the dominant group and is eventually accepted as part of that group Five reasons assimilation would take longer:Five reasons assimilation would take longer: Differences between minority and majority are large Majority is not receptive or minority retains its culture Minority group arrives over a short period of time Minority group residents are concentrated rather than dispersed Arrival is recent and the homeland is accessible

The Pluralist Perspective PluralismPluralism Implies that various groups in a society have mutual respect for one another’s culture, a respect that allows minorities to express their own culture without prejudice or hostility BilingualismBilingualism The use of two or more languages in places of work or education with each language being treated as equally legitimate

Who Am I? Ethnic Identity Non-ethnics Panethnicity Ethnicity as a political and bureaucratic administrative process MarginalityMarginality The status of being between two cultures “Double-Consciousness”DuBois “Double-Consciousness” Also caused by incomplete assimilation

Resistance and Change Dominant group define the terms by which all members of society operate Continuing theme in dominant-subordinate relations is the minority group’s challenge to its subordination Resistance is seen in efforts by racial and ethnic groups to maintain their identity through newspapers, organizations, and modern technology

Resistance may begin through small actions that leads into a broader investigation Change is occurring Hate-crime legislation Afrocentric PerspectiveAfrocentric Perspective Emphasizes the customs of African Cultures and how they pervaded the history, culture, and behavior of Blacks in the U.S. and around the world In considering today’s inequalities, it is easy to forget how much change has taken place

Questions

Social Construction of raceWhat are three examples of the Social Construction of race in U.S. Culture?

process of racial formation designedDescribe the process of racial formation in America. How was it designed?

Function(alism) of racismWhat is the Function(alism) of racism in human society?

Conflict Perspective of raceProvide an example of the Conflict Perspective of race in human society.

stereotypedBesides racial groups, what other groups can be stereotyped?

genocidalWas there ever a genocidal action in America? Describe how and against whom.

assimilateWhy is it difficult for racial minorities to assimilate in the dominant group of America?