RACE, ETHNICITY, and GENDER

Unit Objectives Explore the concepts of race and ethnicity Understand the extent and impacts of racial bias, preference, and segregation Which is the most useful construct for us to consider when we think about social issues?  In the US?  Globally?

Squirming? Talking about race in the US tends to make people uncomfortable. Why do you think that is? RACE IS NOT REAL. RACE IS NOT REAL. Race is a social construct. Race is a social construct. But the effects of our perceptions of race are very real. But the effects of our perceptions of race are very real.

What do you know about race? Quiz time!

RACE & ETHNICITY Sociologically, a minority is someone that’s differentiated from the dominant group Race = large category of people who share certain inherited physical characteristics (i.e. skin color & other physical characteristics)  They are perceived by a given society to be biologically different from others  Genetic traits There’s more genetic variation within racial groups than between racial groups Racial classifications are assigned to people on the basis of arbitrary differences like the shape of the nose, the degree of pigmentation in the skin, and the texture of the hair.

ETHNICITIES Race is based on perceived traits; ethnicity is based on cultural characteristics Ethnic group = people who share a distinctive cultural heritage (language, religion, history, etc.) & feel they are a distinct people Comes from Greek word “ethnos” which refers to a unique and cohesive group…i.e. us v. them

Ethnicity v. Race Ethnicity and race are not the same thing Ethnicity involves more than biological characteristics. May include that, but goes well beyond to include person’s social and cultural identity….i.e. people of same race can have many different ethnicities It’s hard to define race and ethnicity clearly: Ambiguity (video 6 min) Ambiguity

MINORITY RACIAL OR ETHNIC GROUP THAT’S SUBJECTED TO PREJUDICE & DISCRIMINAT ION Prejudice = negative attitude toward certain people Discrimination = unfavorable action against someone b/c they are a member of a certain group

Ethnicity – good or bad? Ethnic Pride – sense of belonging & pride in one’s heritage & culture Ethnocentrism: idea that one’s own group is superior to others (like racism for an ethnic group) Ethnic groups usually have ties to a homeland -a place - has led to ethnic cleansing or violence to try to control land by destroying an ethnic group Ethnicity is a strong force. Even if diffusion and globalization change culture, ethnicity will likely remain.

Ethnic Groups Ethnic groups can be difficult to identify….usually self-identified. Do we see ourselves as a unique and cohesive group…i.e. us versus them? Racial categories used to be simpler…now it is virtually impossible to classify people into “simple” categories of race or ethnicity. Why?

Racial/Ethnic Distributions In United States:  16% Hispanic  13% African American  5% Asian American  1% American Indian  (63%) White Not-Hispanic (NOT an ethnicity…. why not?)

Ethnic Clusters Ethnic enclave: voluntary residential segregation based on ethnicity (i.e. ethnic neighborhoods…Hispanic barrios, China town, little Havana)

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES: Functionalism Functionalist = emphasizes peace & other positive forms; through 3 forms:  1. assimilation: minority adopts dominant culture Structural assimilation = social condition where minority is accepted on equal terms (not guaranteed)  2. amalgamation: subcultures are blended together to form a new culture (melting pot)  3. cultural pluralism: peaceful coexistence of various racial & ethnic groups, each keeping it’s own subculture (in Switzerland: Germans, French, & Italians)

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES: Conflict To conflict theorists, racial & ethnic relations are negative, by racism = belief one’s own race is superior to others  Possible use of violence to improve own circumstances

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES: Symbolic Interactionist If the dominant group defines a minority as inferior or dangerous, then interaction between them will be affected. It’s a stereotype = oversimplified, inaccurate mental picture of others

PREJUDICE & DISCRIMINATION Over many years, this has been built into you Institutionalized discrimination = persistence of discrimination in social institutions Crash Course Video: ETWOJdnXsxHHdjL0Mlp ETWOJdnXsxHHdjL0Mlp

CAUSES 1. Scapegoating = blaming others for one’s own failure 2. Socialization; if we are taught it, then we will likely play into it 3. Job security & business profit; minorities prevented from competing for jobs 4. Maintaining political and governmental power

SOLUTIONS Busing programs and create “magnet schools” Affirmative action = policy that requires employers & colleges to make special efforts to recruit minorities & women for jobs, promotions, etc.

DE JURE vs. DE FACTO SEGREGATION de Jure = legalized segregation  Plessey v. Ferguson  Apartheid in S. Africa

DE JURE SEGREGATION “Separate but equal” overturned by Brown v. BoE Nelson Mandela in S. Africa

DE FACTO SEGREGATION Not legal – just happens. Ethnic clustering or ethnic enclaves Can be based on religion, as well Northern Ireland: Protestant v Catholic

WHY DOES IT MATTER? Minority vs Dominant groups in society:  A minority is the group subjected to prejudice & discrimination.  The dominant group holds greater power, privilege, & prestige within the society. Why/how did it begin in the US? Race A HistoryRaceA History

White Privilege Does it exist? Freakonomics Name Change White Privilege Debate

GENDER Gender roles = patterns of attitude & behavior that society expects of its members In US, men are breadwinners & women have secondary incomes/homemakers But women have many biological advantages over men, despite men having dominance in higher paying fields!

INEQUALITIES Sexism = prejudice & discrimination based on gender Involves sexual abuses like sexual harassment = unwelcome act of a sexual nature

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES: Functionalism Assigning different tasks for men & women  1. instrumental role: requires performance of a task (go to work & make money; assertive)  2. expressive role: requires taking care of personal relationships (offer love & attention, warmth, emotional; nonassertive) BUT this is wrong! Women and men play both roles Gender roles change, are men out of step? (video) out-of-step/

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES: Conflict Conflict theorists think gender inequality arose b/c men were able to exploit women into doing much work with little pay

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES: Symbolic Interactionist Symb. Inter. think the interaction itself between men and women reflects inequality Example: group meeting—men talk more than women & tend to interrupt more