Race and EthnicityRace and Ethnicity

RaceRace

Race and ethnicity are the 2 most Race and ethnicity are the 2 most important prominently ascribed important prominently ascribed statuses that a society uses to statuses that a society uses to distinguish one group from anotherdistinguish one group from another

RaceRace is a category of people who share is a category of people who share inherited physical characteristicsinherited physical characteristics

Race is not determined by physical Race is not determined by physical features but is based on people’s features but is based on people’s reactions to physical characteristicsreactions to physical characteristics

EthnicityEthnicity

EthnicityEthnicity is a set of cultural characteristics is a set of cultural characteristics that distinguishes one group from anotherthat distinguishes one group from another

People who share a common cultural People who share a common cultural background and common sense of identity background and common sense of identity are known as an are known as an ethnic groupethnic group

Based on national origin, religion, language, Based on national origin, religion, language, customs, and valuescustoms, and values

Hispanics known to have strong ethnic rootsHispanics known to have strong ethnic roots

So what’s the difference?So what’s the difference?

Ethnicity is based on Ethnicity is based on cultural cultural characteristicscharacteristics

Race is based on Race is based on physicalphysical characteristics characteristics

http://demographics.coopercenter.org/DotMap/index.html

Minority groupMinority group

In sociology terms, minority group is a In sociology terms, minority group is a group who because of their physical group who because of their physical characteristics or cultural practices are characteristics or cultural practices are singled out and treated unequallysingled out and treated unequally

NOT related to group sizeNOT related to group sizeGroups that have unequal standing in their Groups that have unequal standing in their

societysocietyEx. African AmericansEx. African Americans

Minority CharacteristicsMinority Characteristics

Group posses physical/cultural Group posses physical/cultural characteristics that differ from dominant characteristics that differ from dominant groupgroup

Victims of unequal treatment at the hands Victims of unequal treatment at the hands of the dominant groupof the dominant group

Membership in group is an ascribed statusMembership in group is an ascribed statusStrong bond and sense of loyaltyStrong bond and sense of loyaltyPractice endogamyPractice endogamy

DiscriminationDiscriminationThe denial of equal treatment to The denial of equal treatment to

individuals based on their groupindividuals based on their group Involves Involves behaviorbehavior

Individual or social levelIndividual or social levelRange from name calling and rudeness to Range from name calling and rudeness to

acts of violenceacts of violenceEx: treatment of African Americans in the Ex: treatment of African Americans in the

US post civil war US post civil war What other groups have been What other groups have been

discriminated against?discriminated against?

Discrimination cont..Discrimination cont..

2 forms2 forms LegalLegal- upheld by laws - upheld by laws

Ex: Jim Crow laws or Ex: Jim Crow laws or Apartheid in S. AfricaApartheid in S. Africa

InstitutionalizedInstitutionalized – – unintended unintended discriminationdiscrimination Ex: housing Ex: housing

PrejudicePrejudice

Unsupported generalization about a Unsupported generalization about a category of peoplecategory of peopleRefers to Refers to attitudesattitudes

Negative form of prejudice is Negative form of prejudice is StereotypesStereotypesExaggerated generalizationExaggerated generalization Individuals see reality based on what they Individuals see reality based on what they believebelieve to be true, not necessarily on what to be true, not necessarily on what isis true.true.

Thoughts?Thoughts?

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

A prediction that results in behavior that A prediction that results in behavior that makes the prediction truemakes the prediction true

Ex: someone says they’re going to have a Ex: someone says they’re going to have a lousy day. In turn, his/her actions might lousy day. In turn, his/her actions might alter so that such a prediction is fulfilled.alter so that such a prediction is fulfilled.

Group WorkGroup Work

Come up with 2 self-fulfilling prophecies Come up with 2 self-fulfilling prophecies that could be applied to racial that could be applied to racial discriminationdiscrimination

Come up 2 stereotypes and explain how Come up 2 stereotypes and explain how they can affect your perception of people they can affect your perception of people