CHAPTER 10: RACE AND ETHNICITY

RACE AND ETHNICITY What is race?

A category of people who have been singled out as inferior or superior, often on the basis of real or alleged physical characteristics such as: skin

color, hair texture, eye shape, or other attributes Sociologists emphasize that race is a socially constructed reality In fact, most humans are practically identical (genetically) to each

other, so classifying by race is overwhelmingly phonotypical (or only skin deep)

Ethnic groups An ethnic group is a collection of people distinguished, by

others, or by themselves, primarily on the basis of cultural or nationality characteristics

Such as Irish Americans, Jewish Americans, Italian Americans, etc. They all share five main characteristics

Cultural traits, community sense, ethnocentrism, ascribed membership, and territoriality

DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATE GROUPS

A group that is considered to be advantaged, and has superior rights in a society

In the U.S.; whites with European ancestry (particularly males)

A group whose members are disadvantaged and subjected to unequal treatment by the dominant group

In the U.S.; persons of color, women, and most immigrants Most members of

subordinate groups regard themselves as being subject of collective discrimination

Dominant Groups Subordinate Groups

PREJUDICE A negative attitude based on faulty generalizations about members of selected racial and ethnic groups

Prejudice can be positive or negative From the Latin “prae-judicium,” meaning “before judgment”

Stereotypes and racism Stereotypes: Overgeneralizations about the appearance,

behaviors, or other characteristics of members of particular categories

i.e. the misunderstandings of Native American culture, portrayed in college and professional mascots

Racism: A set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices that is used to justify the superior treatment of one racial or ethnic group, and the inferior treatment of another racial or ethnic group

Can be overt or subtle (blatant or inferred); overt would be derogatory remarks, subtle would be implying a certain race is “better suited” or “natural” in positions like sports or leadership

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Keep in mind that a prejudice is an attitude, whereas discrimination is taking action

Frustration-aggression hypothesis Scapegoat: A person or group that is incapable of

offering resistance to the hostility or aggression of others

Often blaming a minority group for societal problems, or a focal point for their frustrations

According to Symbolic-Interactionists; prejudice is a learned behavior

Children growing up do not have a frame of reference for prejudice. Being praised for, or encouraging, certain jokes or remarks reinforces prejudice

Theodor W. Adorno and the authoritarian personality Prejudiced individuals tend to enforce excessive

conformity, submissiveness to authority, intolerance, insecurity, a high level of superstition, and rigid, stereotypic thinking

Social distance The extent to which people are willing to interact

and establish relationships with members of racial and ethnic groups other than their own

Some groups are identified as more desirable among various ethnic groups

DISCRIMINATION

Involves actions or practices of dominant-group members (or their representatives) that have a harmful impact on members of a subordinate group

Prejudiced attitudes do not necessarily lead to discriminatory behavior

Genocide is the deliberate systematic killing of an entire people or nation

Merton’s Typology of Prejudice and Discrimination

Prejudiced Attitude?

Discriminatory Behavior?

Unprejudiced Non-

DiscriminatorNo No

Unprejudiced Discriminator No Yes

Prejudiced Non-

DiscriminatorYes No

Prejudiced Discriminator Yes Yes

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON RACE Symbolic-Interactionist

Contact hypothesis Contact between people from divergent groups should lead to favorable

attitudes

Functionalist Assimilation

A process by which members of subordinate racial and ethnic groups become “absorbed” into the dominant culture

Can occur at various levels; such as, cultural, structural, biological, and psychological

Conflict Economic stratification of races and classes, particularly

caste and class based discrimination Others include internal colonialism, split-labor-market theory, and

gendered, racial, and social theories

*Critical Race Theory* Derived from ideas of civil rights leaders

Racism as an ingrained feature of society that affects everyone’s daily life

Native Americans

Believed to have migrated from Asia more than 10,000 years ago, currently about 1.5% of population. Received full citizenship in 1924; historically, have had limited opportunities and high unemployment and crime

White Anglo-Saxon

Protestants (WASPs)

Perhaps the most privileged group, biggest divergence in privileges is gender. Many consider themselves as having no race or ethnicity.

African Americans

Roughly 40 million in U.S., involuntarily brought to America in mid 1600’s as indentured servants and eventually slaves. Though freed in 1863, whites in particular have subject them to many indignities. Though less prevalent today, there are still prejudicial and discriminatory practices occurring.

White Ethnic Americans

Includes Irish, Italian, Jewish among many subgroups, prejudicial and discriminatory practices shifted as immigration increased for different groups. Now heavily assimilated, most people do not view having such an ethnic background as negative.

Asian AmericansIncludes Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino. Currently the fastest growing minority group (5% and increasing), almost all received a high degree of discrimination and even violence until after World War II.

Hispanic Americans

From either Latin-America or Iberian peninsula, with recent immigration and societal issues, they are currently receiving the majority of the stereotyping. Many however are making a lasting impact on the country in terms of literature, sports, and cultural preferences.

Middle Eastern Americans

Around 1970’s immigration became prevalent, and up until the September 11 attacks had been an integral part of society. After the attacks, they received intense scrutiny and in some instances, “hate” crimes.

RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE U.S.

REFERENCES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

o Sociology In Our Times (Seventh Edition)o By: Diana Kendall

o Notes incorporatedo By: James V. Thomas, NIU Professor (Emeritus)o Formatted By: Jacob R. Kalnins, NIU student

o Pictures Incorporatedo Clip Art (PowerPoint: 2007)o Google Images: Sociology In Our Times