Race and Ethnic Studies

A Presentation by Rawnsley May Aguasa and Clarissa Estioko

Race and Ethnicity

Race
A socially defined category based on real or perceived biological differences between groups of people Focus: Physical features

Ethnicity
A socially defined category based on common language, religion, norms, customs, practices, and other cultural factors Focus: Culture

RACE

Race and Ethnicity

Race and ethnicity are both reifications, or social constructions These are categories are based not mainly on science and facts but rather on opinions and social experiences/influences These change over time and do not have firm boundaries.

At one point in time, ETHNICITY may be easily determined based on RACE

but global conglomeration offered more choices and more changes to people around the world.

Race and Ethnicity

One may now reject his own, and embrace another One may now move from one region to another, and assimilate his beliefs, actions, and customs to identify with that certain ethnic orientation but not with Race. Ethnicity may be displayed or hidden. Race is often visible. Race and Ethnicity may produce stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and racism

Stereotypes, Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism

Stereotypes
Generalizations about the usual tendencies, behaviors, and/or characteristics of members of a particular group Example: All men are ______.

Prejudice (a thought process)

Perception or attitude that prejudges a person on the basis of those stereotypes (may be positive or negative) Example: Dumb blonds

Discrimination (an action)

Prejudice turned into action/behavior that treat others unfairly because of their group membership Example: Racism, sexism, ageism

Racism (an ideology)

Beliefs about the superiority or inferiority of one racial or ethnic group Also known as Racial Discrimination Example: Anti-Semitism (hostile behavior toward Jews)

Ethnocide
Genocide
Greek word genos (race/tribe) + cide (killing) Acts committed against national, ethnical, racial, or religious groups The term was created in regard to the Anti-Semitism by the Nazis in the WWII

Ethnocide (ethnos + cide)

According to Raphael Lemkin, ethnocide is an alternative term for genocide According to sociologists, it may be defined as a sub-type of genocide, or refer to crimes motivated by ethnicity It may be actions which, while not leading directly to death or harm of living members of a group, have a long-term effect on them Example: Effect of nuclear explosions on human health

Cultural Genocide
Interchangeable with the term Ethnocide Extermination of a culture that does not involve physical extermination of its people

Ethnic Conflict
A conflict between ethnic groups, often as a result of ethnic nationalism and/or ethnic hate. Some political scientists perceive ethnic conflict as a myth because they argue that the root causes of ethnic conflict do not involve ethnicity but rather institutional, political, and economic factors. Examples
Catholics vs. Protestants in Ireland Jews vs. Palestinians in Middle East

Ethnicity in the Philippines

In the Philippines, being ethnic is usually associated with being native or even indigenous. Ethnic people are known by most to be people who live in mountains or remote places, or people who speak exotic languages, and such. There are many ethnic individuals who chose to part with their community to pursue education, economic fulfillment, or simply try the modern way of living.

Ethnicity in the Philippines

Major Ethnic Groups
Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Bisaya, Hiligaynon Ilonggo, Bikol, Waray

Major Religions
Roman Catholic, Muslim, Evangelical, Iglesia ni Kristo, Aglipayan

Capital: Metro Manila (16th Largest Urban Center in the World!) Language: Tagalog and English Earliest Inhabitants
Negritos, Austronesians/Malayo-Polynesian

Colonial Influences
Spain and United States

Ethnicity in the Philippines

Examples:
Mode of living (bahay kubo to modern house) Clothes (barong, barot saya to modern clothes) Deterioration of the fluency in the mother tongue due to disuse at work, in school, at home Fading of Filipino values (e.g. Respectfulness, po and opo, Delicadeza) Fall of close family ties Embracing of the mestiza or chinita appearance

Ethnicity in the Philippines

It is difficult to preserve ones ethnicity in a technologically-advanced environment but it is not entirely impossible. Acceptance and pride in ones roots are probably the best way to save ones culture