Introduction: Race as an Uneven Road UNEVEN ROADS, CHAPTER 1

Chapter Objectives Definitions and theories Development of race as a social construct in the West Minority groups through demographic and economic data Impact of racial and ethnic barriers on equality Approach of the book

Does Race Still Matter? Race matters in substantive ways that structure opportunities and outcomes: Example: African Americans make up 13% of monthly drug users 55% of all those convicted on drug charges and 77% of all those who serve drug-related prison sentences. Latinos and Blacks routinely have jobless and unemployment rates twice that of Whites. Race also matters in symbolic ways – through words, symbols, and images that shape public attitudes and opinions. Barack Obama’s election to the presidency in 2008 led some commentators to announce that race and racism were no longer significant factors in American politics. Yet the voting patterns of racial/ethnic groups from 1972-2012 illustrate that race/ethnicity often plays a role in how people vote (see Table 1.1), and events since Obama’s 2008 election, such as the shootings of Trayvon Martin in Florida and Michael Brown in Missouri and the resultant outcries, indicate that race continues to matter in American society and politics. This article from NPR about a trans-racial family is so-so. The comments are what’s most interesting in shedding light on public opinions about race. These could provide good material for classroom discussion. http://www.npr.org/2014/01/12/261835462/trans-racial-family-gets-double-takes-everywhere-we-go

When, Why, and How Race and Ethnicity Matter The factors of racialization are society, minority communities, and the polity, or the broad government framework within which political and economic interaction occurs. Understanding when, why, and how race matter help us to identify these factors as they occur and the effects of racialization on a minority group’s outcome on the road to equality.

Definitions and Theories Race refers to the macro-categories society assigns to physical distinctions like skin and hair color and body shapes, as well as cultural differences. Race is a social construction rooted much more in beliefs than science; but society’s widely differ in how they define it. The United States historically has supported racial separation over assimilation. Ethnicity refers to people distinguished more by their cultural practices or national or regional ancestries. A connection to a region rather than a specific nation is called a pan-ethnic identity. Racism occurs when government/society uses race to allocate benefits or sanction to persons or groups in a way that reinforces an order of racial privilege or ordering.

Definitions and Theories In the Western world it took centuries for race, ethnicity, and racism to evolve into modern ideas: Scientific Racism is the incorrect use of empirical methods to justify assumptions of racial superiority and inferiority. It justified certain groups being labeled as inherently inferior or even “missing links.” Such views permitted a defense of slavery in the founding of the United States despite Jefferson previously declaring “all men are created equal.” The evidence that race and ethnicity are ideas or social constructions is found in the U.S. Census. From 1790 to present day, racial and ethnic categories have frequently and sometimes radically changed.

Max Weber In order to get beyond racism, we must first get beyond race.” – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun Based on Weber the term ethnicity includes: Proper name, common ancestry, historical memories, elements of common culture, link to homeland(Diaspora), sense of solidarity.(Pol Sci John Hutchinson/Soc Anthony Smith)

Minority Group Demographics and Economic Data Government actions matter in the creation of persistent opportunity gaps across racial and ethnic groups. Information gathered by the U.S. Census, including racial/ethnic identification, is oftentimes used to determine status and policies about the population. Census categories of race/ethnicity involve a process of racialization that suits different political, scientific, and allocational purposes. These categories have changed over time and current debate centers around the use of multiracial categories.

Impact of Racial and Ethnic Barriers on Equality It is important for you to know how to interpret various racial and ethnic differences: By 2050, the United States will have no absolute racial majority. Hispanics/Latinos are the fast-growing minority group in the country and the largest minority ethnic group. The highest concentration of minority populations live in the Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. southwest and southeast. More than 25% of American Indian and African American populations live in poverty. Whites and Asian Americans have significantly higher median family incomes than other racial/ethnic groups.

Impact of Racial and Ethnic Barriers on Equality Race and ethnicity matter in how we define what it means to be an American?: Multicultural View argues that various racial and ethnic groups best understand what it means to be an American by maintaining their distinct cultural identities like Italian American or Korean American. The notion of a “Melting Pot” that diminishes differences is a myth. Transcendent View argues that the maintenance of distinct cultural identities diminishes the common values and beliefs that make all Americans and promotes intergroup conflict.

Approach of the Book Why race and ethnicity matter explains the specific reasons or rationale behind a group’s advantage or disadvantage. How race and ethnicity matter explains the specific processes that create or maintain a group’s racial advantage or disadvantage. When race and ethnic matter explains the specific periods in time or place in which a group’s racial advantages/disadvantages are more likely to matter. The combination of these elements contribute to the outcomes of racialization.

Approach of the Book Outcomes of racialization Absolute barriers: Race/ethnicity is everything. A minority group has no rights or opportunities. (Era of Slavery) Decisive: Race/ethnicity matters. A minority group has very limited rights and opportunities due to racial/ethnic ordering. (Jim Crow, Mendez v. Westminster) Insufficient: Race/ethnicity is not enough. A minority has fundamental citizenship rights and opportunities, but inequalities persist. (Obama/Sotomayor) Inconsequential: Race/ethnicity doesn’t matter. A minority group has equal citizenship rights and opportunities due to no racial/ethnic ordering or inequality. (non-Hispanic Whites: Irish, White American Jews, Italians) assimilate or submerge their ethnicity or whiteness expands to previously excluded groups. (video) Video: This short clip from a school diversity workshop experience is thought-provoking and could make a great discussion starter: http://www.upworthy.com/i-never-thought-id-want-to-high-five-a-teacher-for-yelling-at-a-student-but-i-was-wrong?g=2

The Social Construction of “Race” Blood Quantum Test In 1790, the 1st U.S. census used the following classifications: Free White Males, Free White Females, All other Free Persons, and Slaves In 1870 there were 5 races; White, Colored (Black), Mulatto (people with some black blood), Chinese & Indian In 1890, 8 races were listed: White, Colored (black), Mulatto(3/8th to 5/8th black blood), Quadroon (1/4th black blood), Octoroon (1/8th black blood), Chinese, Japanese and Indian In 1900, Mulatto, Quadroon, and Octoroon were dropped so that any amount of black inheritance mean a person had to be classified as “Black” Between 1930 and 2000 some racial classifications (Hindu, Eskimo, Hawaiian, and Mexican) appeared and disappeared. Others (Filipino, Korean, Hawaiian, Mexican) made an appearance and have stayed ever since Currently on the census form there are a wide variety of racial categories to choose from: White, Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Native Hawaiian, Guamanian and Samoan