The Architecture of Inequality Racism, Prejudice, and Discrimination Social Inequality

Prejudice and Racism Prejudice – negative attitude toward a group and its members or toward an individual Racism – extreme form of prejudice that assumes superiority of one group over an another

Discrimination and Stereotype Discrimination – treating people unfairly based on race, religion, culture, etc. Stereotype – distorted image of some group

Stereotype

Racism The belief that humans are subdivided into distinct groups so different in their social behavior and mental and physical capacities that they can be ranked as superior or inferior Personal – expression of racist attitudes by individuals Overt – open disdain in face-to-face interactions Subtle – unwitting differences in how people react to one another Cultural – exists when there is a widespread acceptance of stereotypes concerning different ethnic or racial groups Jesus Christ is depicted as being white #AllLivesMatter

Experiences of Racism Native Americans Perceived as “savages” by European settlers, driven off of their land It was not until 1940 that Native Americans born in the United States were considered citizens African Americans Direct and indirect influences of slavery Overt racism decreasing, but average quality of life is still well below whites Left to right: Mae Jemison; Shirley Chisholm; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Hazel Scott; Earvin 'Magic' Johnson; Ben Carson, M.D.; Colin Powell; Henry O. Flipper; Patricia Roberts Harris; Barack and Michelle Obama

Experiences of Racism Asian Americans Very diverse experiences by group Japanese and Chinese Americans perceived as “model minority” as they have higher average earnings Often resented Muslim Americans Smaller ethno-racial group and quite diverse in origin Southeast Asia, North Africa, Middle East Unfavorably viewed by many Anti-Islamic imagery common in the media

Experiences of Racism Islamophobia?

Institutional Racism and Discrimination Laws, customs, and practices that systematically reflect and produce racial inequalities in society Apartheid in South Africa, Jim Crow and the internment of Japanese Americans in the United States, Caste System in India Red Lining in real estate and finance, “steering” in real estate Refusing to make deliveries in some neighborhoods Institutional racism becomes a vicious cycle Can’t get a loan, can’t start a business, can’t prove capacity to succeed, no change in credit score, can’t get a loan again, etc.

Stereotypes Overgeneralized belief that a certain trait, behavior, or attitude characterizes all members of some identifiable group Beliefs remain in spite of evidence to the contrary Most African Americans are not on welfare Not all Asians are good at math Few Italians are in the Mafia Stereotypes are learned

Prejudice Prejudice – when stereotypes affect how we feel about others Hurricane Katrina White person “found” bread and water at a store Black person “looted” a grocery store

Discrimination Discrimination – allowing prejudices to fuel unfair treatment 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination or segregation on the grounds of race, color, religion, or national origin