Racism and Racism and SexismSexism

Race, Ethnicity, Gender Race, Ethnicity, Gender UnitUnit

RacismRacism• Definition: a set of beliefs that uses

biological factors to explain and justify inequalities between racial and ethnic groups

• Those who hold these beliefs do not question these beliefs

RacismRacism• Structured on 3 ideas

– People can be classified into racial categories according to physical traits such as skin color, hair texture, and eye shape

– A close correspondence exists between physical traits and achievements such as intelligence, income, occupation, and athletic ability

– Physical attributes are deemed so significant that they are used to explain and determine behavior and inequalities. There is no other possible explanation for these inequalities

Origins of RacismOrigins of Racism• Modern racism comes from European

exploration of Africa, Asia, and the Americas

• Derives from colonialism– European ideals forced upon indigenous

population

Origins of RacismOrigins of Racism• Colonialism needed a large labor

force– Started with native-born populations– Moved onto indentured workers for Asia

and Africa– Finally used the slave trade (11.7 million

enslaved Africans)

Origins of RacismOrigins of Racism• “Scientific” Racism: using faulty

science to support systems of racial rankings and theories of social and cultural progress– Placed Whites in most advanced ranks

and stage of human evolution

Flaws in Racial ArgumentsFlaws in Racial Arguments• “African-Americans are better at

sports”

– What about hockey, gymnastics, swimming, soccer, cycling, sailing, rowing, archery, volleyball, skiing, and other sports that generate less money?

– Sports are seen as a way out environmental situation

Flaws in Racial ArgumentsFlaws in Racial Arguments• Sociologists look for what channels

people into certain fields

• Which has a higher visibility of a certain group

• What access does the group to the requirements

• Environmental factors

SexismSexism• Belief that one sex – and by

extension, one gender – is innately superior

• Justifies inequality between the sexes

SexismSexism• Based on 3 notions:

1. People can be placed into two categories – male and female

2. A close correspondence exists between a person’s sex characteristics and characteristics such as emotional state, body language, personality, intelligence, the expression of sexual desire, and athletic capability

3. Primary sex characteristics are viewed as so significant that they can explain and determine behavior and the inequalities that exist between the sexes.

-Sexism underlies any differential treatment of, or thinking about, males and females that ignores the individual

Extreme Hate of SexesExtreme Hate of Sexes• Misogyny: extreme hate for females

• Misandry: extreme hate for males

– Leads to hate of homophobia

Homophobia and Homophobia and HypermasculinityHypermasculinity

• Homophobia has 2 definitions– Irrational fear held by some

heterosexuals that a same-sex person will make a sexual advance to them

– Fear of being in close contact with someone of the same sex

HypermasculinityHypermasculinity• Involves exaggerating the traits and

behaviors believed characteristic of males– Excessive emphasis on strength to the

point that a man’s muscles and reproductive organs are presented as impossibly large

HypermasculinityHypermasculinity• Belief that people who behave in

ways that depart from ideals of masculinity or femininity are considered deviant and in need of fixing– Should be subjected to negative

sanctions

FeminismFeminism• Perspective that seeks to understand

the position of women in society relative to men and that advocates equal opportunity

– Real question is what is considered equal

Sociologists view on Sociologists view on feminismfeminism

• All groups advocate common themes

• 7 Themes of feminism1. The right to bodily integrity and

autonomy2. Access to safe contraceptives3. The right to choose the terms of

pregnancy

ThemesThemes4. Access to quality prenatal care,

protection from violence inside and outside the home, and freedom from sexual harassment

5. Equal pay at work6. Workplace rights to maternity and

other caregiver leaves7. Freedom for both men and women to

make choices in life that defy gender expectations

PrejudicePrejudice• An unfavorable judgment about a

category of people that is applied to anyone who belongs to that category

– Supported by stereotypes and confirmation bias (selective perception)

StereotypesStereotypes• Generalizations about people who

belong category that do not change even in the face of contradictory evidence

• Confirmation Bias/Selective perception– Only noticing behaviors that support

your ideas

StereotypesStereotypes• Any person who does not fall into the

stereotype is seen as the exception to the rule

• Stereotypes vs. personal short comings

StereotypesStereotypes• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: people start

behaving in ways to confirm a false definition of a situation

DiscriminationDiscrimination• Intentional or unintentional

• Unequal treatment of racial or ethnic groups without considering merit, ability, or past performance

DiscriminationDiscrimination• People can be separated into 4

groups

• All-weather liberals• Fair-weather liberals• Timid bigots• Active Bigots

DiscriminationDiscrimination• All-weather liberals: accepts the creed of

equal opportunity and their conduct conforms to that creed

• Fair-weather liberals: accept the creed of equal opportunity but discriminate because they simply fail to consider discriminatory consequences or because discriminating gives them some advantage

DiscriminationDiscrimination• Timid Bigots: reject the creed of equal

opportunity but refrain from discrimination, primarily because they fear the possibility of sanctions or being labeled a bigot

• Active Bigots: Reject the notion of equal opportunity and profess a moral right, even a duty, to discriminate.

Types of discriminationTypes of discrimination• De facto: discrimination that is

practiced but not officially a law

• De jure: discrimination that is inherent in the law

AssumptionsAssumptions

They are________________, so I figured they would act___________.

Stereotyping Stereotyping

They are all like that.

“Stereotypes are devices for saving a biased person the trouble of learning.”

PrejudicePrejudice

Thoughts and Beliefs

I think women/ blacks/ teenagers/ Arabs ...

DiscriminationDiscrimination

Behaviors and Actions

I will not hire women.

My daughter will not date interracially.

I won’t cheer for Latin ballplayers.

Racism and HomophobiaRacism and Homophobia

A societal policy

No blacks will be admitted to this school.

All people of Japanese ancestry must be relocated.

Homosexuals may not legally marry.

ScapegoatingScapegoating

Blaming society’s problems on innocent groups.

The _____________ are ruining this country.

and finally Genocideand finally Genocide