Racism

What is Race? Race – describes the common descent or origin a group shares * characterized by physical qualities Ethnicity – the relation of an individual to a group with whom the individual believes he/she has common ancestry

Race Race is a social construct - society, not biology, invented the term - race is NOT a biological fact - there have NEVER been genetically separate species of humans

Human populations are: not clearly separated not distinct biological group ambiguous any local population anywhere on earth contains 85% of all genetic variation

- Race is a set of culturally created attitudes toward, and beliefs about human differences * created by the dominant group in a specific society - racism distorts our ideas about human differences and behaviour

Prejudice - All types of prejudice causes the exploitation and oppression of minority groups - inequalities are not consequences of biological inheritance - inequalities result from social, economic, educational and political circumstances

Prejudice toward particular groups is determined by the dominant group within a society - the dominant group decides: - who will be the have and the have nots - who will be allowed to access social capital

Self Worth Integral to a person’s self-concept is their ability to identify with the dominant group - identifying with and acceptance in the dominant group allows full participation in society - reflected in upper class, media, school, I.Q tests, politics, etc * social capital

Show: Jane Elliott: Brown Eye/Blue Eye

Prejudice Against Non-Heterosexuals Sex – refers to the visible, physical characteristics Gender – refers to characteristics that society attaches to its ‘ideal’ model of male or female Sexual Orientation – refers to the emotional, romantic, sexual attraction to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, neither sex, or the gender identity accompanying them

Gender Stereotypes culture determines what is and not acceptable The relationship between sexual orientation and gender- related traits is moderated by culture culture determines what is and not acceptable culture varies dramatically

Gender stereotypes in a given culture shape opinions about how a man or a woman is supposed to act sexually Cultural Examples: - in the Middle East, men hold hands and show public displays of affection

In Central American countries, ‘Machismo’ men are seen as real, ideal men who penetrate either sex In Papua New Guinea, young men engage in sex with other young men until the age of 18 when they re married Among First Nations, ‘Two-Spirited’ people (non- heterosexuals) were highly respected and played roles in healing

Gender Roles In any given culture, 23% to 30% of humans consider themselves something other than heterosexual LGBT - (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, transgender) Gender roles in our society do not address up to 30% of the population

All species engage in same sex intercourse Nature is diverse All species engage in same sex intercourse Some species have the ability to change their biological sex, in order to procreate

Prejudice Toward LGBT 93 countries in the world still legally punish LGBT 7 countries punish LGBT by death penalty (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Nigeria & Mauritania)

In Canada, LGBT: - are 5 times more likely to miss school because they feel unsafe - earn, on average, 14% less than heterosexuals - 4 times higher risk of suicide - are targets of 20% of all hate crimes

Show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ3lcCa0G4Y

Theories on Causes of Prejudice Learned Theory - people are not born with prejudice - learned through socialization - family - books, language, media perpetuate stereotypes - history is distorted because it is presented from a white, male perspective - dominant group determines gender roles in a particular society

- Canada founded by immigrants, yet prejudice exists against visible, Competition Theory - Canada founded by immigrants, yet prejudice exists against visible, non-white immigrants - economic hardships are blamed on new immigrants - ie: a person loses his/her job and blames, incorrectly, an immigrant for taking it - the country’s deficit is blamed on immigration

Frustration Aggression Theory - blaming minorities including women, elderly, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. as being responsible for hardships - frustration from NOT being able to attain their goals

Ignorance Theory - lack of personal experience can cause people to make incorrect assumptions about others - lack of education about humans around us

How would upstanders deal with each of the 4 theories of racism/intolerance?

MEDIA INFLUENCE What effect do new family shows like Modern Family have on their audience and what do they teach about tolerance and acceptance?