Ethnicity Race isRace Aint from Safari Montage Unit

Ethnicity & Race is/Race Ain’t from Safari Montage

Unit Objectives n n n Explore the concepts of race and ethnicity Understand the extent and impacts of racial bias, preference, and segregation Which is the most useful construct for us to consider when we think about social issues? • In the US? • Globally?

Squirming? n n Talking about race in the US tends to make people uncomfortable. Why do you think that is? RACE IS NOT REAL. n Race is a social construct. n n But the effects of our perceptions of race are very real.

What do you know about race? n Quiz time!

What is Race? n Race = a categorization of humans based on skin color and other physical characteristics • genetic traits • biologically inherited physical characteristics n n Racial classifications are assigned to people on the basis of arbitrary differences like the shape of the nose, the degree of pigmentation in the skin, and the texture of the hair. There is more genetic variation within a particular racial group than between racial groups.

What is Race? n n n Racial Categories are often imposed on people by governments. Which box do you check? White Black or African American Asian American Indian/Alaska Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander The racial categories included in the census questionnaire generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country and not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically, or genetically. In addition, it is recognized that the categories of the race item include racial and national origin or sociocultural groups. People may choose to report more than one race to indicate their racial mixture, such as “American Indian” and “White. ” People who identify their origin as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be of any race.

So What is Ethnicity? n n Ethnicity: group of people w/ a common identity based on a distinct but shared culture (i. e. common homeland, language, religion, or race). Comes from Greek word “ethnos” which refers to a unique and cohesive group…i. e. us v. them

Ethnicity v. Race n n n Ethnicity and race are not the same thing Ethnicity involves more than biological characteristics. May include that, but goes well beyond to include person’s social and cultural identity…. i. e. people of same race can have many different ethnicities It’s hard to define race and ethnicity clearly: Ambiguity

Ethnicity – good or bad? n n Ethnic Pride – sense of belonging & pride in one’s heritage & culture Ethnocentrism: the idea that one’s own group is superior to others (like racism for an ethnic group) Ethnic groups usually have ties to a particular homeland -a place - this has led to ethnic cleansing or violence to try to control land by destroying an ethnic group Ethnicity is a strong force. Even if diffusion and globalization change culture, ethnicity will likely remain.

Ethnic Groups n n n Ethnic groups can be difficult to identify…. usually self-identified. Do we see ourselves as a unique and cohesive group…i. e. us versus them? Racial categories used to be simpler…now it is virtually impossible to classify people into “simple” categories of race or ethnicity. Why?

Racial/Ethnic Distributions n In United States: • 16% Hispanic • 13% African American • 5% Asian American • 1% American Indian • (63%) White Not-Hispanic (NOT an ethnicity…. why not? )

Ethnic Clusters n Ethnic enclave: voluntary residential segregation based on ethnicity (i. e. ethnic neighborhoods…Hispanic barrios, China town, little Havana)

Why Does it Matter? n n Prejudice: pre-judgment. An assumption made about someone or something before having adequate knowledge to be able to do so with accuracy. Discrimination: treatment taken toward or against a person of a certain group based solely on category. Discrimination is the actual behavior.

de Jure vs. de Facto Segregation n de Jure = legalized segregation • Plessey v. Ferguson • Apartheid in S. Africa

de Jure Segregation n n “Separate but equal” overturned by Brown v. Bo. E - 1954 Nelson Mandela in S. Africa

de Facto Segregation n n Not legal – just happens. Ethnic clustering or ethnic enclaves Can be based on religion, as well Northern Ireland: Protestant v Catholic http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Pkjq. S -Gti. T 4

Why Does it Matter? n n n Minority vs Dominant groups in society: A minority is the group subjected to prejudice and discrimination. The dominant group holds greater power, privilege, and prestige within the society. Why/how did it begin in the US? Race A History

White Privilege n n n Does it exist? Freakonomics Name Change Read the article and respond on your blog. What do you think? White Privilege Debate