copyright © allyn & bacon 2010 racial and ethnic inequality this multimedia product and its...

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

Chapter Three:Racial and Ethnic Inequality

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Chapter 3 Outline• Racial Group• Ethnic Group• Dominant vs. Subordinate Group

Basic Definitions

• Racism• Prejudice• Individual and Institutional discrimination

Social Behavior

• Social –Psychological• Symbolic Interactionist• Functionalist• Conflict

Sociological Perspectives on

Race

•Native Americans•African Americans•Latinos (Hispanic Americans)•Asian and Pacific Americans

Inequalities among racial & ethnic

groups


Defining race

Biological definition of race:Population differs from another because of

some genes.Today no “pure” races exist due to generations

of intermixing.

Sociologists view race as a social constructClassification based on social and political

values


Racial Group

A racial group is:A category of people who have been singled

outSeen as inferior or superior than other groupsDetermined by subjectively defined physical

characteristics (such as skin color, hair texture, eye shape).

Examples of Racial GroupsAfrican American

s

Native American

s

Asian American

s


Ethnic GroupAn Ethnic Group is:

A group distinguished from others.Seen as inferior or superior.Distinguished on the basis of cultural or

nationality characteristics.Characteristics of an

ethnic groupUnique cultural characteristics

Sense of community

Belief your group is best

Born into category

Tendency to occupy distinct

area


Dominant and Subordinate GroupsDominant Group: Subordinate Group:

Advantaged compared to other groups in society

Have superior resources and rights in a society

Can be determined by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or other factors

In the U.S. the dominant group is associated with white-skin privilege.

Are disadvantaged compared to other groups

Face unequal treatment, prejudice, or discrimination

See themselves as objects of discrimination


Racism and PrejudiceRacism: beliefs and practices which justify

unequal treatment of racial and ethnic groups.White racism is present in the U.S. and denies

people of color opportunities.

Prejudice: negative attitude toward a particular group.Based on faulty generalizationsStems from ethnocentrism (assumption one’s

group is superior)Also influenced by stereotypes

(overgeneralizations about all members of a group.)


Discrimination

Individual Discrimination:One on one acts against subordinate group by

dominant group.Generally stems from prejudice.

Institutional Discrimination:Involves day to day practices of institutions.results in harmful impact on subordinate group

members.


Sociological Perspectives on RaceSocial Psychological Perspective:

Frustration-aggression hypothesis: Individuals who are unable to achieve a set goal

become frustrated Individuals then develop aggression Aggression taken out on scapegoat (person blamed for

causing the problem can either be real or perceived.)

Authoritarian Personality: Tendency to be more prejudice See world as threatening and are intolerant of

subordinate groups


Symbolic InteractionistRacial Socialization:

Process of social interaction containing messages about one’s racial/ethnic group.

Can be direct via contact with parents, peers, teachers, others

Also indirectly through media images


Functionalist:Focus on social order and stability as being

important.Assimilation:

Process where subordinate group members become absorbed in dominant culture

Seen by functionalists as stabilizingIn complete form it becomes amalgamation (melting

pot; characteristics of different groups blend together into new group)

Anglo-conformity model: assimilation whereby subordinate group is expected to conform to Anglo-Saxon population


Functionalist (cont.)Ethnic Pluralism:

Diverse racial and ethnic groups coexistMaintain separate identities and cultures

Segregation:Spatial and social separation of peopleBased on race/ethnicity, class, gender, religion

or other social characteristics.


ConflictClass perspectives:

Historically African Americans were enslaved because they were the cheapest and best workers

Contemporary theory Split-labor market theory: U.S. economy divided into 2

sectors. Primary sector: higher paid workers with job security Secondary sector: lower paid workers in more

hazardous jobs. Dominant group generally in primary sector Subordinate group generally in secondary sector


Conflict (cont.)Gendered Racism:

Interaction of gender and race resulting in exploitation of woman of color.

Women of color face double discrimination in labor force.

Internal Colonialism: Members of a racial/ethnic group are placed under

control of the dominant group.Racial/ethnic groups who have experienced this

remain in subordinate positions longer than those who haven’t.


Conflict (cont.)Theory of racial formation:

Government has large role in defining racial and ethnic relations.

Policies and actions placing one group in a subordinate position

Immigration and naturalization laws also influence relations between racial and ethnic groups.


Racial Composition in the U.S.


Native AmericansPopulation of 15 million inhabited land when

Columbus arrived in 1492.White Europeans conquered and colonized

the Native AmericansEngaged in genocide (deliberate killing of a

people)1830: Indian Removal Act passed:

Became wards of the government “Trail of tears”Children were Americanized.


Native Americans (cont.)Today Native Americans:

Make up 1.5% of population1/3 live on reservationsAre the most disadvantaged racial/ethnic group

in the U.S.Have high rates of unemployment, school

dropout, suicide and infant mortality.


African AmericansFirst brought to North American as slaves in

1619.Slavery abolished in 1863:

In South: de jure segregation- laws that enforced segregation

In North: de facto segregation- separation and inequality due to custom.

Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965 ended de jure segregation.


African Americans (cont.)Today African Americans:

Make up 13% of populationHave made significant political gainsStill face significant discrimination in many

areas of society.Are portrayed stereotypically as “welfare

mothers” and “criminals”


Latinos (Hispanic Americans)Puerto Rico became a U.S. possession in 1917

and citizens allowed unrestricted migration to U.S.

In late 1950’s refugees immigrated to U.S. from Cuba to flee from Fidel Castro’s communist takeover.

Mexicans have immigrated to the U.S. when there has been a need for agricultural workers


Latinos (cont.)Today Latinos:

Are growing in number in the U.S.Have a high poverty rateHave a high unemployment rateStill face significant discrimination in many

areas of society.Depicted by media as drug lords or illegal

aliens.


Asian and Pacific AmericansChinese workers came to America between 1850

and 1880. Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 ended immigration

Japanese immigrants forced into internment camps during WWII.

Today many highly educated professional immigrating from India and Pakistan.

Many immigrants have come recently from other parts of Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, and others)

Hawaiian Islands became 50th state in 1959 (many people of Asian decent inhabit the islands)


Asian and Pacific Americans (cont.)Today Asian and Pacific Americans:

Have high educational levelsHave high median income levelsHave relatively low poverty rates


Median Family income


Solutions to Racial and Ethnic InequalityFunctionalist:

Restructure Social InstitutionsConflict:

Struggle and Political ActionInteractionist:

Teach cultural diversity to unlearn prejudice and discrimination

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