ETHNICITY An introduction

Ethnicity - Introduction 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 Ethnicity and race not necessarily same thing Race = genetic traits, biologically inherited physical characteristics 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 form many different ethnicities

Ethnicity Ethnocentrism: one’s conviction of ethnic superiority (like racism for an ethnic group) Ethnic groups usually have ties to a particular homeland – often leads to ethnic cleansing or violence is to try to control piece of land Ethnicity is strongest tie for local diversity against globalization. Even if glob engulfs relig and lang, ethnicity will likely remain

Ethnicity 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?

Ethnic Distributions In United States: 13% African American 13% Hispanic (surpassing AA) 4% Asian American 1% American Indian (white/Caucasian not an ethnicity)….why not?

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

Segregation De jure seg V. de facto seg De jure = legalized (Plessey v. Ferguson, apartheid in S. Africa)

Homer Plessey

De Jure Segregation Overturned by Brown v. BOE Nelson Mandella in S. Africa

De Facto Segregation Not legal – just happens. Ethnic clustering or ethnic enclaves i.e. white side of town, black side of town, etc.

Segregation by Scale Segregation can happen on 2 scales – within the region of a country or within neighborhoods of a city Regional Segregation in U.S. African Am in SE and cities Hispanics in SW Asian Am in west (Hawaii, CA) Am Indians in SW and plains

De Facto Seg by Scale Segregation within cities…..east side, west side, etc. African Am highly clustered in cities (@ ¼ of all Americans live in cities, but ½ of all African Am in cities) Ex: Chicago = 1/3 AA, Ill 1/12 AA Ex: Detroit = 4/5 AA, Michigan 1/14 AA

Resurgence of Ethnic Identity Last 20 yrs has seen resurgence of ethnic identity. During Cold War, Communism dominated E. Europe and repressed ethnic and cultural differences. After the fall of Communism ethnicity rebounded- led to breakup of several states and ethnic violence Ex: Yugoslavia – ethnic cleansing USSR – dismantled along ethnic lines Czechoslovakia (Velvet Divorce) All divided along cultural/ethnic divides

Ethnic Cleansing In worst cases ethnic violence can lead to ethnic cleansing – process by which more powerful ethnic group forcibly removes less powerful ethnic group in order to create ethnic homogeneity. Can be achieved by.. Forced migration - push out, burn homes, destroy towns Genocide: premeditated effort to kill all from certain ethnic group (Holocaust)