Race and Ethnicity

Race A group of people with inherited physical characteristics that distinguish it from another group 2 myths about race: One race is superior to another “pure” races exist Race and ethnicity are often confused b/c of the cultural differences people see and the way they define race

Ethnicity Refers to cultural characteristics that distinguish a people Common ancestry and cultural heritage A person’s sense of belonging to a certain ethnicity may center on: Nation or region of origin Distinctive foods Clothing Language Music Religion Family names

Minority Groups People who are singled out for unequal treatment and are objects of discrimination Worldwide there are shared characteristics of minorities: The physical or cultural traits that distinguish them are held in low esteem by the dominant group They are unequally treated by the dominant group They tend to marry within their own group They tend to feel a strong group solidarity

Dominant Group Dominant group-those who do the discriminating Have greater power, more privileges, and higher social status Uses its position to discriminate against those who are different Considers its privileged position to be the result of its own innate superiority

Constructing a racial-ethnic identity Some people feel an intense sense of ethnic identity, while others feel very little Influenced by: the relative size and power of the ethnic group The appearance The level of discrimination aimed at the group If a group is relatively small, has little power, has a distinctive appearance, and is an object of discrimination, it’s members will have a heightened sense of ethnic identity

Ethnic Work Refers to the way people construct their ethnicity For people with strong ethnic identity: How they enhance and maintain their group’s distinctions Clothing, food, language, religious practices, holidays For people who lack a firm ethnic identity: Attempts to recover their ethnic heritage Tracing family lines or visiting country of origin

Write about it Tell us about your race and ethnicity. How do you identify yourself and why? Is your background a source of pride, confusion, discomfort or something else? How do others react to your perceived and expressed identity?