A race is a human population that is believed to be distinct in some way from other humans based on real or imagined physical

differences. Racial classifications are rooted in the idea of biological classification of humans according to morphological features such as skin color or facial characteristics. An individual is usually externally classified into a racial group rather than the individual choosing where they belong as part of their identity. Conceptions of race, as well as specific racial groupings, are often controversial due to their impact on social identity and how those identities influence someone's position in social hierarchies . Usually biological Race Types:- Caucasoid, Negroid, Mongoloid and sometimes Australoid

 Ethnicity refers to groupings among people based in cultural differences. e.g Language, religion, customs

ETHNIC GROUP
Broad definition  Social group distinguished by race , religion, or national origin.  Differences can either be physical or cultural with language and religion being important markers Narrow definition  Group socially distinguished or set apart, by others or by itself, primarily on the basis of cultural or national-origin characteristics.

 Subordinate groups whose members have significantly less power over their own lives than the members of a dominant have over theirs politically, socially and economically Example: Before 1947 a handful of British colonial rulers discriminated against tens of millions of Indians.

Four Characteristics of Minority Status:  Social and historical disadvantage  Visible characteristics  Self-Conscious social group  Ascribed status Cannot change this status. Status is determined by physical characteristics

The Melting Pot

Play written by a Jewish American in 1909 Put forth the idea that old traditions should be forgotten New American ethnicity would take the best traits of all cultures However, still emphasized assimilation Those ethnic groups (Italians, Polish, etc.) that did eventually assimilate became part of the growing white identity, as opposed to Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans

Prejudices are prejudgments, and they can be positive or negative, and often takes the form of Stereotypes. They are based on preconceived ideas rather than actual evidence E.g.- In Mexico, Hispanic Mexicans discriminate against Native American Mexicans; In Japan, the Japanese discriminate against just about anyone who isn t Japanese.

 It refers to the actual behaviour towards another group.  It is indirectly linked to your prejudices, but prejudices might influence your behaviour. It includes excluding, restricting members of one group from opportunities. There are two types of discrimination: Individual discrimination Institutional discrimination

INDIVIDUAL DISCRIMINATION:DISCRIMINATION: Behaviour of individual members of one race/ethnic/gender group that is intended to have a differential and/or harmful effect on the members of another race/ethnic/gender group. (Pincus)  Example: Refusing to rent to certain groups because of prejudice feelings.

INSTITUTIONAL DISCRIMINATION:DISCRIMINATION: Policies of the dominant race/ethnic/gender institutions and the behaviour of individuals who control these institutions and implement policies that are intended to have a differential and/or harmful effect on minority race/ethnic/gender groups. Example: Jim Crow segregation

Psychological Perspective:1)Scapegoat Theory: prejudice results from frustrations among people who are themselves disadvantaged. Ex:- One group is blamed by another group as the cause for their problems. Typically the group being blamed has little power. 2) Authoritarian personality theory views prejudice as a personality trait in certain individuals. Persons with extreme prejudice tend to rigidly conform to conventional cultural values, see moral issues as clear cut matters of right and wrong.

Sociological Perspective:Conflict Theory: Its an Exploitation theory  Exploitation of the lower classes is a basic part of capitalism and is being justified through racism  Racism keep minorities in lower paying jobs, and keep the capitalists supplied with cheap labour.  Ethnocentrism, competition, and unequal power are the ingredients of racism.  Power is the mechanism by which domination and subjugation are achieved.

Functionalism: Racially prejudiced world provide a justification for the maintenance of an unequal society that routinely deprives minorities of their rights and privileges  Racist beliefs discourage the subordinate minority from questioning their status, which would question the foundations of society  Racial myths encourage support for the existing order by arguing that societal change would further impoverish minorities and lower the majority s standard of living Prejudice therefore grows when the value-system is threatened  Ethnicity is functional because it promotes group formation and cohesion; is conducive to democratic order; and may function as a safety valve  However, ethnic differentiation in a multiethnic society can result in dysfunctions -It can reduce consensus, increase chances of conflict, and threaten societal equilibrium

Interactionist Perspective: Interracial contact of people of equal status in cooperative circumstances will cause them to abandon previous stereotypes and become less prejudiced.  Ethnicity arises when communication between groups is limited  Groups can be in conflict only if intergroup communication is limited and groups continue to see themselves as distinct and different from one another (constructed reality)  The social definitions that groups have of one another are the root of ethnic conflict

 Systematic, planned destruction of a racial, political or cultural group is Genocide.  It is generally that a dominant group tries to destroy the minority group. Some examples are:Jews in Germany- Adolf Hitler believed that Aryans were a superior race and were responsible for all the cultural achievements in Europe. Then his views were put into practice and destroyed all the races which would endanger Aryan culture. After all this he found that the Jews would be a sense of danger so he destroyed all the Jews. Rwanda in 1994 the Hutus slaughtered between 800,000 and one million Tutsis- mostly with matches.

It is defined as forcing a minority group to move. There are 2 types of transfers:Indirect:- its achieved by making the life so unbearable for members of a group that they leave voluntarily. E.g:- under the bitter conditions of czarist Russia, millions of Jews made this choice. Direct:- occurs when a dominant group expels a minority. E.g:- relocation of Native Americans to reservations and the transfer of Americans of Japanese descent to interment camps during world war II.  Ethnic cleansing:Creation of a homogeneous areas through the expulsion of other ethnic groups

segregationSeparation or spatial exclusion of minorities sanctioned/authorized by law de facto segregationSeparation or spatial exclusion of minorities, not by law but created by external social factors such as class Current school segregation is the result of housing patterns linked to historical and current economic, social and political policies.

It is the process by which a minority is absorbed into the mainstream culture. There are 2 types:Forced Assimilation- the dominant group refuses to allow the minority to practice its religion, speak its language, or follow its customs. Permissible Assimilation- it allows the minority to adopt the dominant groups patterns in its own way and at its own speed.

 To stress the process of maintaining patterns of ethnicity  To maintain distinctive cultural, organizational and behavioural characteristics is a way to cope with discrimination  Ethnic cultures can exist separately  When ethnic identity is nurtured, a pluralistic and permanent mosaic of ethnic sub-populations is evident  Recognizes that some assimilation does occur  We are all the result of some form of short-term and/or long-term assimilation  Some are accepted faster than other; those are not tend to conserve their ethnic identities longer  Pluralistic society does NOT mean sub-populations live in complete isolation

Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. Seven racial groups live in the U.S. Native Americans White Anglo-Saxon Protestants African Americans Asian Americans Hispanic Americans White Ethnic Americans Middle Eastern Americans

Native Americans:
Original inhabitants of the Americas Prior to European contact they lived in hundreds of distinct societies. 1871-1924 they lived under a policy of forced assimilation. Have been encouraged to move from the reservations to urban society. Many have come together recently to assert pride in their culture and past.

White Anglo-Saxon Protestants:

Mostly of English origin. Have dominated the U.S. since colonial days. Most came to this country with skills and motivated to succeed. There have been many times when WASP s have been opposed to non-anglo immigrants. Power has been declining as we enter the 21st century.

African Americans:
Initially came as indentured servants or slaves. The basic denial of human rights was in sharp contrast to the promise of the American republic. 1865- Thirteenth Amendment outlaws slavery but, Jim Crow laws perpetuate the slave-like status. 20th century, mass migration to urban areas of the northern U.S., followed by the civil rights movement of the 1960 s. Educational gap has narrowed substantially in recent years. Political clout has increased substantially as well, in recent decades.

Asian Americans:
Senator Inouye of Hawaii

Are considered to have a model minority image Chinese Americans- began with the 1840 s gold rush, and worked on the railroad track laying gangs of the 1860 s. Many urban areas have a Chinatown within it Assimilation and upward mobility began in the World War II era. Currently outpace the national average, both economically and educationally.

Japanese Americans:
Came at first in the late 19th century to work, and experienced legal and social discrimination. During WWII, many were confined in relocation camps. Many made dramatic economic recovery after the war. Strong upward mobility has encouraged cultural assimilation and interracial marriage.

 Immigration - Process by which people move into another country to settle  Emigration - Process by which people leave a country to settle into another  Both processes represent migratory movement which link both the country of origins and the country of destination  Will shape ethnic and racial diversity and conflict