Race and Ethnicity as Lived Experience

Chapter 9

OutlineSocial Construction of RaceDefining Race and EthnicityMinority groups and RacismPrejudice and DiscriminationTheoretical ApproachesLife ChancesConflict and Cooperation in Race Relations

Social Construction of RaceRace and ethnicity are socially constructed

categoriesMeanings are created over time

Race is also a means of stratification19th century shema-3 races

Negroid, Mongoloid, CaucasoidModern scientists-there are no “pure” races

Race and EthnicityRace-social category, based on real or perceived

biological differences between groups of peopleEthnicity-social category based on common language,

religion, nationality, history, or another cultural factorHow do we show our racial/ethnic group membership?Symbolic ethnicity-enactments of ethnic identity that

occur only on special occasionsEx.: St. Patrick’s Day

Situational ethnicity-ethnic identity can either be displayed or concealed depending on its usefulness in a given situationIn U.S., if you are non-white you don’t get a chance for

symbolic/situational ethnicity – your ethnicity usually shows

Minority groups and RacismMinority group-members of a social group that’s

systematically denied same access to power and resources available to the dominant groups of a societyNot necessarily fewer in numberMinority status is not about numbers!! It’s about

social inequalities!May serve as a master status

Racism-ideology about the superiority of one racial or ethnic group used to justify inequalityOften rooted in assumption that differences between

groups are genetic

Prejudice and DiscriminationPrejudice-“Pre-judgment”-inflexible attitude

about a group of people rooted in generalizations or stereotypesApplied to all members of the group, unlikely

to change unless evidence against it (usually negative)

Discrimination-unequal treatment of individuals based on their membership in a social group, usually motivated by prejudice

Prejudice and DiscriminationIndividual Discrimination-discrimination

carried out by one person against anotherInstitutional Discrimination-

discrimination carried out systematically by institutions (political, economic, educational) that affects all members of a group who come into contact with it1944-G.I. Bill- advantages were institutionally

blocked for blacks Loans granted to those only buying in all-white

neighborhoods

Why does race still play such a critical role in society?

Functionalist-Groups have a tendency toward ethnocentrism and social bonds toward their own group-can lead them to view other groups unfavorably

Conflict-Struggle for scarce resources drives society. Split along racial lines. One group is routinely paid less than othersIdeas like Manifest Destiny helped to justify

the taking of lands from Indians (heathens) and justified killing them

InteractionismPassing-presenting yourself as a member of

a different racial/ethnic group than you were born intoLight-skinned blacks try to avoid consequences

of being black in a racist society Occurred via marrying other whites, having no

children, using make-up to lighten skin“Doing white” still occurs

Bleaching, make-up

Race, Ethnicity and Life ChancesHealth-Disparities in life expectancy rates of

men and women of different racesEducation-High dropout rates are associated

with those from economically disadvantaged and non-English speaking backgrounds

Among high school dropouts:11.8%-Whites14.2%-Blacks28.4%-Hispanics

Work and Life ChancesWork and Income-People of color carry

burden of most difficult jobsMany minorities in semi-skilled or unskilled

occupations-fill bottom tier of job marketMinorities also compete with each other for

those jobsClass and race often intersect, influencing

life chancesIn 2001, below poverty level:

7.9% of whites 23.1% of blacks 24.9% of Hispanics

Criminal Justice and Life ChancesU.S. population is

69% white, 13% black, 13% Hispanic, but 40% of prisoners are African-American, 34% are white, 21% are Hispanic

Half of all hate crimes related to racial discrimination; 2/3 targeted towards blacks

Race Relations: ConflictGenocide-deliberate and systematic extermination of

a racial, ethnic, national or cultural group “Ethnic cleansing”Ex.: Holocaust: 6 million Jews, millions of other

undesirables (Gypsies, people with disabilities, political enemies, gays, etc…)

Population Transfer-forcible removal of people from the territory they have occupiedNative Americans forced to move onto Indian

reservations in early 19th century1838-9:“Trail of Tears”-17,000 Cherokees moved

800 mi. 4,000 people died on the way

Race Relations: ConflictInternal Colonialism-the exploitation of a

minority group within the dominant group’s own bordersTakes form of economic exploitationIncludes physical segregationSegregation-formal and legal separation of

groups by raceEx.: Blacks in the American South up to the

1960s Separate neighborhoods, sections of buses,

restaurants, etc… Separate and unequal

Race Relations: Cooperation Assimilation-the minority group is absorbed

into the mainstream or dominant groupAmerica as “melting pot”Society becomes more homogenous-

immigrants lose sense of “foreign-ness”Racial assimilation-minority groups absorbed

into dominant group through intermarriageCultural assimilation-minority groups

adopting the dominant group’s culture May be forced-results in loss of previous cultural

identity

Race Relations: CooperationPluralism-(multiculturalism)-encourages

racial and ethnic variation within a societyTolerates and celebrates racial/ethnic identitiesAmerica as “salad bowl”Switzerland-French, German, Italian

1848-constitution makes sure power is shared among all groups

How can the U.S. gain a more multicultural national identity?