Ethnicity

2 Terms Ethnic: from the Greek ethnikos, or “national.” Ethnic: from the Greek ethnikos, or “national.” Ethnicity: Ethnicity: –“identity with a group of people who share the cultural traditions of a particular homeland or hearth.” Race: Race: –“identity with a group of people who share a biological ancestor.”

Race Sunlight stimulates the production of melanin which protects the skin from damaging ultraviolet rays, the more melanin is present the darker the skin will be. Sunlight stimulates the production of melanin which protects the skin from damaging ultraviolet rays, the more melanin is present the darker the skin will be. So me theorize that once people were out of Africa, there was a lot more variation in levels of sunlight. People in northern latitudes did not need as dark a skin for protection, and so the natural variations returned and some people became lighter again. Others, staying in southern latitudes such as India, Southeast Asia, and Australia, retained one level or another of darkness for protection. So, in Asia, we see a smooth range of skin tones from very light brown in Siberia to dark brown in India. It seems that in the far north, there isn't enough sun to help us manufacture vitamin D. So light - even white - skin became better for survival, because it can absorb more sunlight. So me theorize that once people were out of Africa, there was a lot more variation in levels of sunlight. People in northern latitudes did not need as dark a skin for protection, and so the natural variations returned and some people became lighter again. Others, staying in southern latitudes such as India, Southeast Asia, and Australia, retained one level or another of darkness for protection. So, in Asia, we see a smooth range of skin tones from very light brown in Siberia to dark brown in India. It seems that in the far north, there isn't enough sun to help us manufacture vitamin D. So light - even white - skin became better for survival, because it can absorb more sunlight.

A. Ethnic Geography ethnic groups 1.Study of spatial distributions & interactions of ethnic groups - practice unique adaptive strategies - normally occupy defined areas 2.ethnic groups: populations bound by a common place of origin & culture, religion, language

- Is there such a thing as being “black”? - “White”? What is “whiteness”? - “Latino”? - Do the ideas of ethnicity and race create a divide between “us” and “them”?

B. Problems encountered when defining “ethnic” 1. ethnic derives from Greek word ethnos meaning “people” or “nation” 2. “Ethnic”: a minority group in a host culture 3. strong feeling of group identity

Problems (Pt. 2) – membership is involuntary – born into the group – individuals may choose to discard their ethnicity – politics

Problems (Pt. 3) Main problem is different groups base their identities on different traits : Jews—primarily means religion The Amish—both folk culture & religion African-Americans—skin color Swiss-Americans—national origin German-Americans—ancestral language Cuban-Americans—anti-Castro, and anti-communist

C. Role of ethnic groups 1. “Keepers” of cultural traditions 2. provides group identity: friendships, marriage, religion 3. provides recreational outlets, business opportunities, & political power 4. Can give rise to suspicion, friction, distrust…. even violence

D. How ethnic groups change Acculturation: an ethnic group adopts the host society’s ways Assimilation: a complete blending with the host culture – involves loss of distinctive ethnic traits Ex: “Americans” are descendants of Germans, Scots, Irish, French, Swedes, Welsh, Native Americans – Intermarriage: most effective assimilatory device

Ethnic Islands Westby, Wisconsin Westby, Wisconsin

A. How do “ethnic islands” begin? charter group: the dominant ethnic group that sets the cultural norms and standards of an area ethnic islands: clustering of one particular ethnic group in a geographic area

Ethnic Neighborhood: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Indigenous Ethnic Islands in Latin America

B. Migration & Ethnicity I. Chain migration (communication with residents from the place of emigration): – the decision to migrate spreads by both hierarchical & contagious diffusion – actual migration = relocation diffusion – chain migration continues – Chain migration causes the movement of people to become channelized Ex: different parts of the Southwest draw upon different source regions in Mexico

Ex. Of Channelized Migration

II. Cluster Migration: ethnic groups immigrating from one place & forming a homogenous community in the host culture Exs: - Mormons in Utah - Dutch in Pennsylvania - Dutch in Pennsylvania - French in Quebec

Ethnic Business: East Los Angeles

Ethnic Landscape: New Zealand It is a non-Maori house type with Maori design

C. Ethnic Islands & Cultural Conflict: Current ethnic conflicts: 1. Armenia (Christian-Muslim) 2. the former Yugoslavia (Serbian Christians- Bosnian Muslims) 3. Sudan (Darfur) 4. Nigeria (Muslim north-mixed religion south) 5. Ireland (Protestant pro-British vs. Catholic Irish) 6. Kashmir (India vs. Pakistan)

Religions in the Former Yugoslavia Yugoslavia – mostly Catholic in north, Orthodox Christian in south, w/ Muslims mixed throughout “Ethnic cleansing” occurred in 1992 in Kosovo – ethnic Albanians (Muslim) were severely oppressed by Serbian nationalists

Armenian exclave (Christian) in Azerbaijan (Nagorno-Karabakh) Azerbaijani exclave (Muslim) in Armenia (Nakhichevan)

North African Transition Zone: - predominately Muslim north (with Sharia laws) while the south is mostly Christian/traditional African religions

Nigeria

Religious separation in N. Ireland & India