Race and ethnicity: All too often a basis for social inequality Sociology 111 Fall 2008

Race or ethnicity? Race refers to perceived physical or genetic characteristics Skin color Lineage (ancestors) Nose width and body type (Hutus and Tutsis) Ethnicity refers to cultural characteristics Nation of origin Distinctive foods Language Religion Dress

Discrimination and prejudice Discrimination refers to the action of unfair treatment. Discrimination based on a person’s race (and/or ethnicity) is called racism. Can also be based on gender, age, weight, marital status, etc. Prejudice refers to the attitudes that underpin discriminatory practices. Negative prejudice: judging a group as inferior Positive prejudice: exaggerating positive traits

Learning prejudice Research indicates prejudice is learned. It is not an innate characteristic. Most research indicates that people generalize their racist prejudices. Tend to not only be prejudiced against Asians but also African Americans, Latinos, Jews…. Prejudice does not depend on negative experiences with a group Contact decreases prejudice.

Decline in discrimination and prejudice 25 years ago inconceivable to have a serious contender for president Jesse Jackson a 2x pres candidate was rarely taken seriously Yet, some voters still report they won’t vote for him strictly because of race

Why are racism and discrimination so persistent? Frustration-Aggression Theory Dollard (1939) Experiences a stressor Unable/unwilling to confront Target a scapegoat Authoritarian Personality Theory Adorno (1950) Found that those with high prejudice also scored high in the need for structure/authority Anxious with ambiguity/differences

Functionalist theory Prejudice and discrimination can serve a “function” within a society. In Nazi Germany, Fritz Hippler was instructed to create Anti-Semitism via the film industry. Jews as “rats” Most integrated in Europe Jews held key positions in society and wealth that the Nazis could confiscate. Fill the coffers of the government and put Nazi officials in power.

Conflict theory How does this division benefit those in power? Workers want good wages, safe working conditions, and job security…..which undermines corporate profits. Exploit racial and ethnic strife (“if you don’t want to work, I’ve got 15 Mexicans lined up”) Rubin’s studies Direct attention away from the corporations