1. CHAPTER 10: RACE AND ETHNICITY

2. RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY IN AMERICA
One in five Americans is either foreign-born or a first-generation U.S. resident.
There are 150 distinct ethnic or racial groups in the U.S.
The proportion of the population that is white is declining. 1 2

3. THE SIGNIFICANE OF RACE AND ETHNICITY
a group of people who share physical characteristics, such as skin color and facial features
Race is a social construct. 2

4. Ethnic Group
Ethnic group—a set of people who identify with a common national origin or cultural heritage
Examples: Italian American, German American, Jewish 2

5. Racial-Ethnic Group
Racial-ethnic group—a category of people that has both distinctive physical and cultural characteristics
Examples: Asian American, Hispanic
The U.S. Census asks for both race and ethnicity. 2

6. Discussion
Should the U.S. Census continue to ask for information about race and ethnicity? 2

7. OUR IMMIGRATION MOSAIC
In 1900, almost 85% of immigrants to the U.S. came from Europe.
Today immigrants come primarily from Asia and Latin America. 3

8. + or − ? Harmful or Beneficial? 3
Critics allege that low-skilled workers reduce the standard of living and overload schools and welfare systems.
Because immigrants are younger, poorer, and less well educated than the native population, they use more government services, and pay less in taxes.
+ or − ? 3

9. Immigration Proponents
Proponents argue that immigrants provide services at low wages and in jobs most Americans do not want.
Without new workers, the U.S. will not be able to support the aging population. 3

10. Genocide

11. Discussion
Is immigration harmful or beneficial to the United States?
Are we being fair to current immigrants? 3

12. DOMINANT AND MINORITY GROUPS
Dominant group—any physically or culturally distinctive group that has the most economic and political power, the greatest privileges, and the highest social status
Dominant groups are not always the majority in size. 4

13. Minority group—a group of people who may be subject to differential and unequal treatment because of physical, cultural, or other characteristics
It does not refer necessarily to a numerical minority. 4

14. Patterns of Dominant-Minority Group Relations
Genocide—the systematic attempt to kill all members of a particular ethnic, religious, political, racial, or national group
Examples: colonists' treatment of American Indians, Holocaust
Internal colonialism—the subordinate status of groups who are treated unequally within a nation
Examples: African Americans, Hispanics 4

15. Patterns of Dominant-Minority Group Relations
Segregation—the physical and social separation of dominant and minority groups
De facto segregation—informal
De jure segregation—formal
Assimilation—the process of conforming to the culture of the dominant group
Examples: learning the language, intermarrying 4

16. Patterns of Dominant-Minority Group Relations
Pluralism—minority groups exist separately but enjoy access to resources across all institutions
Also called multiculturalism 4

17. Application Identify the dominant/minority pattern
Massacres of minority Tutsis by dominant Hutu group in Rwanda
African Americans living in racially separate, economically deprived neighborhoods
French and German speakers coexisting peacefully in Switzerland

18. Discussion
Should the United States be a "melting pot" or a "tossed salad?"
Should recent immigrants to the United States be required to learn English? 4

19. SOURCES OF RACIAL-ETHNIC FRICTION
Racism—a set of beliefs claiming that one's own racial group is "naturally" superior to other groups.
Prejudice—an attitude, positive or negative, toward people because of their group membership 5

20. Stereotypes and Ethnocentrism
Stereotype—an oversimplified or exaggerated generalization about a category of people
Ethnocentrism—
a belief that one's
own culture,
society, or group
is inherently
superior to others 5

21. Discrimination
Discrimination—an act that treats people unequally or unfairly because of their group membership
Individual discrimination—harmful action directed intentionally on a one-to-one basis
Institutional discrimination—unequal treatment due to the everyday operations of a society 5

22. Dominant-Minority Groups
Dominant-minority group relations can be mapped along a continuum, as shown in Figure 10.2.

23. Application Identify the type of discrimination:
Rhonda refuses to work with Latinos.
An IQ test includes questions about experiences more familiar to Hispanics than non-Hispanics.
Minorities are less likely to be scheduled for heart bypass surgery.

24. Relationships Between Prejudice and Discrimination
Typology created by Robert Merton
Active bigot—prejudiced discriminator
Timid bigot—unprejudiced discriminator
Fair-weather liberal—prejudiced nondiscriminator
All-weather liberal—unprejudiced nondiscriminator 5

25. Discussion
Why might someone discriminate even if they are not prejudiced?
Why might someone be prejudiced but not discriminate? 5

26. SOCIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS OF RACIAL-ETHNIC INEQUALITY
Functionalism argues that newcomers must assimilate by adopting the dominant group's ways.
Racial-ethnic inequality provides a large pool of cheap labor.
Racial-ethnic inequality maintains the dominant group's current status.
Discrimination can be dysfunction. 6

27. SOCIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS OF RACIAL-ETHNIC INEQUALITY
Conflict theorists see ongoing strife between dominant and minority groups.
Dominant groups protect their power and privilege.
Economic inequality perpetuates racial hierarchies.
Economic stratification pits minorities against each other and low-income whites. 6

28. SOCIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS OF RACIAL-ETHNIC INEQUALITY
Feminist theorists stress gendered racism.
Gendered racism—the combined and cumulative effects of inequality due to racism and sexism
Minority women face discrimination based on race, gender, and social class. 6

29. SOCIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS OF RACIAL-ETHNIC INEQUALITY
Symbolic interactionists emphasize learned attitudes, norms, and values.
Labeling and selective perception can increase prejudice and discrimination.
Images shape our perceptions. 6

30. SOCIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS OF RACIAL-ETHNIC INEQUALITY
The contact hypothesis states that the more people get to know members of a minority group personally, the less likely they are to be prejudiced against that group. 6

31. MAJOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE UNITED STATES
European Americans
First colonists
About 68% of the U.S. population has a European background.
Early immigrants (WASPS) looked down on later immigrants from other areas of Europe.
As a group, European Americans are the most successful. 7

32. Latinos 7 Half of new immigrants are Latino.
Latinos are a diverse group.
Median household income of Latinos is 72% that of whites.
Many Latinos become successful. 7

33. African Americans 7 The second largest minority group
The only group brought to the U.S. involuntarily
Experience high rates of poverty
Median income is the lowest of all racial-ethnic groups
Success rates are increasing. 7

34. Asian Americans 7 Comprise 5% of U.S. population
Highest median income in the U.S.
Higher educational levels
Labeled the "model minority" 7

35. Discussion
Why might Asian Americans object to being called the model minority? 7

36. American Indians 7 1.5% of the population
More than 560 recognized tribes
Experienced centuries of subjugation, exploitation, and political exclusion
High rates of poverty
Economic progress in recent years 7

37. Middle Eastern Americans
Heterogeneous population
Most are Muslim
Tend to be better educated and wealthier than other Americans
Prejudice and discrimination increased after 9/11 7

38. INTERRACIAL AND INTERETHNIC RELATIONSHIPS
Miscegenation—marriage or sexual relations between members of different races
Antimiscegenation laws declared unconstitutional in 1967
Racial-ethnic intermarriages are increasing and account for 5.4% of married couples. 8

39. Intermarriage
Approval of racial-ethnic intermarriages has increased.
Racial-ethnic groups that are the most assimilated are the most likely to intermarry.
People are increasingly likely to identify themselves as multiracial. 8

40. Discussion
Are there any potential problems of being multiracial or multiethnic?
Are there potential benefits of being multiracial or multiethnic?
Is the increasing rate of intermarriage good for society? 8

41. Internet Connections: Quick Links
The Middle East Research and Information Project produces the Middle East Report Online, a good source for news and research on contemporary issues in the United States and the Middle East:
CensusScope provides census data on race (and other topics) by state, county, and metropolitan area. Many of the charts and maps show racial/ethnic trends in population growth, age, income, and segregation since 1980:
Understanding Race explains differences among people, “the reality—and unreality—of race,” and provides material on racial variations:
Ansel Adam's Photographs of Japanese-American Internment at Manzanar offer an unforgettable look into the suffering of Japanese Americans in war relocation centers:
The Smithsonian Latino Center promotes Latino culture, spirit, and achievement in America. The site highlights notable Latino astronauts, athletes, labor leaders, playwrights, composers, educators, and computer animators:
Famous Black Contributors highlights numerous African American leaders and innovators in the fields of politics, public service, sports, business, arts and literature:
Brainwashing and Boarding Schools: Undoing the Shameful Legacy offers an excellent historical summary of American Indian boarding schools. The site also provides photographs, “books to avoid,” and other resources: