1. Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Chapter 9
Racial and Ethnic Inequality

2. Objectives
Describe what sociologists mean by the terms: minority, race, and ethnicity
Discuss patterns of racial and ethnic relations
Discuss the difference between prejudice and discrimination
Explain 3 different views of racial inequalities (theories)
Compare the condition of American minorities with that of the white majority

3. Minority
Minority- group of people with physical or cultural traits different from the dominant group in society
African Americans
Native Americans
Hispanics
Other ethnic groups

4. Race
People sharing certain inherited characteristics that are considered important within a society
African American
White/Caucasian
Native American

5. Ethnicity
Ethnic group- having a characteristic of a certain group sharing a culture, religion, language, etc.

6. Difference between Ethnicity and Race
2 black men- one from Georgia and one from Ethiopia
Both men have the same RACE (black) and share the same physical characteristics
Georgia is a Christian, speaks English, and celebrates the 4th of July
Ethiopia is a Muslim, speaks 1 of the 84 languages, and celebrates the Birth of Mohammed
They have different ETHNICITY

7. How Minorities Blend into Society (Patterns of Assimilation)
1- Minority group must be accepted
2- Group must be allowed to fully participate in society

8. Melting Pot of America 3 Forms of Assimilation
1- Anglo-conformity: minority accepts American standards of conduct
Mexican immigrant learns English and only speaks English
2- Tossed salad (also known as cultural pluralism): more than one culture is being acted out
Mexican immigrant speaks English at school, but Spanish at home and attends Spanish church services
3- Accommodation: perform minority culture, yet deal with dominant society
Hutterites

9. Patterns of Conflict Minority is rejected
Genocide: systematic effort to destroy entire population
Hitler and Jews
Population Transfer: group is forced to move to another location
Cherokee and Trail of Tears
Subjugation: group is denied equal access to culture and lifestyle of dominant society
Laws- Jim Crow
Practice- Jobs to one race

10. Discrimination
ACTION of treating people differently based upon race, ethnicity, religion or culture

11. Prejudice
Negative ATTITUDES toward a group (race, ethnicity, religion, culture)

12. Theories on Race Inequality
Functionalist- See Racial Inequality as Positive
Dysfunctions can be caused by prejudice/discrimination
Safety and stability of society is at risk (protects the majority group)
Majority feels superior and strengthens their self concept

13. Theories Cont.
Conflict- majority uses prejudice and discrimination for power
Control of property, goods, resources
Minorities conflict with one another for what little power remains
Shiite and Sunni Muslims

14. Theories Cont.
Symbolic Interactionist: people learn prejudice from our family
Language
Blackmail, blackballed, etc
Self-fulfilling prophecy: minorities are expected to act a certain way and will do so

15. Institutionalized Discrimination
Unfair practices that grow out of common behaviors and attitudes
Inner city schools and deterioration

16. Blue Collar Workers
Wage earning workers that wear specialized clothing on the job
Mechanics
Miners
Have their name on their shirt “Bob”

17. White Collar Workers Office workers
Wear dress shirts to work (usually white)
No manual labor

18. Minority Groups in the US
African Americans
Largest and oldest minority group
Lack of acceptance because of physical features and place in history (slaves)
Gaining in education and politics
Latinos (people from Mexico, Central and South America)
Fastest growing group- will be majority
Migrant workers
Half finish high school
Joining politics

19. Minorities Cont. Native Americans Asian Americans Fight stereotypes
Poverty
Casinos and Opportunity
Asian Americans
Gold Rush of 1850s
Internment during WWII

20. Minorities Cont. White Ethnics (European immigrants)
Blue collar workers

21. Assignments
Pg. 304 #2
Answer the 5 objectives at the beginning of presentation