Inequalities of Race & Ethnicity Ch. 9 p.274-301

Minorities What are the characteristics of a minority? Distinctive physical or cultural characteristics that can be used to separate if from the majority. Dominated by the majority. Minority traits are often believed by the dominant majority to be inferior. Members of the minority have a common sense of identity, with strong group loyalty. Majority determines who belongs to the minority through ascribed status.

Defining Race Race- People sharing certain inherited physical characteristics that are considered important within a society. Traditionally scholars maintained there were three races: Negroid Mongoloid Caucasoid * Today there is a much more complex understanding of race.

Ethnicity Ethnic Minority- is socially defined by unique characteristics related to culture or nationality. An ethnic minority is a subculture defined by its own language, religion, values, beliefs, norms & customs. Ethnic minorities are also separate from the larger culture. Negative attitudes toward ethnic minorities exist in part because of ethnocentrism.

Patterns of Assimilation When a racial or ethnic minority is integrated into a society, its members are given full participation in all aspects of society. The most common pattern of assimilation is Anglo- conformity. 2nd form of assimilation is the melting pot, all ethnic & racial minorities voluntarily blend together. Cultural Pluralism- desire of a group to maintain some sense of identity separate from the dominant group.

Patterns of Conflict 3 basic patterns have emerged to describe approaches taken by dominant cultures in rejecting minority groups: Genocide Population Transfer Subjugation *Subjugation is the most common pattern of conflict. May be based on law or everyday practices of people.*

Prejudice, Racism, & Discrimination Prejudice- involves a generalization based on biased or insufficient information. Prejudiced attitudes are based on strong emotions; difficult to change Racism- not only judge’s people unfairly, but it assumes a race/ethnic group is superior. Racists believe discrimination/exclusion is morally justified due to their own natural superiority. Discrimination- involves acting on own opinions of treating people unfairly.

Hate Crimes Criminal act motivated by extreme prejudice Involve bias related to race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability Data not formerly collected until 1990, due to the Hate Crimes Statistics Act. Occur in relatively small numbers, but the frequency is increasing. Theoretical Perspectives: on Hate Crimes Members of a group are bolstering their sense of unity against a common enemy Victim is somehow threatening the person’s livelihood or self-interest Involve labeling

Stereotypes Sometimes created to justify unethical behavior against minority groups Appear throughout any society Based on distortion, exaggeration and over simplification For example- Politicians are corrupt. Athletes are “all brawn & no brain”

Functionalist Perspective Focus on dysfunctions caused by prejudice & discrimination By fostering prejudice, a dominant group can create a feeling of superiority over minority groups Can strengthen its members own self-concepts Positive aspect to discrimination

Conflict Perspective A majority uses prejudice & discrimination as weapons of power to a minority Majority does this to increase its control over property, goods, and resources Different minorities tend to view one another as competitors rather than as allies in their struggle against the majority (Olzak & Nagel, 1986)

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Members of a society learn to be prejudiced in much the same way they learn to be patriotic. Gordon Allport (1979) described two stages in the learning of prejudice: Pre-generalized learning period: overhear parents make racist or prejudiced statements, but not yet learned to separate people by race or ethnic groups Total rejection stage: able to use physical clues to sort people into groups

Symbolic Int. cont. Point out language itself can reflect prejudices: black list, black eye, etc. Underlies the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy Negative interaction & lack of opportunity to develop their abilities, members of a minority may become locked in low-level jobs

Institutionalized Discrimination Discrimination resulting from unfair practices that are part of the structure of society & traditional, accepted behaviors. Seniority systems- promotion & pay increase determined by years of service Public Education: minority students in larger urban areas Concentrated in school districts w/a tax base too low to provide resources = to those in wealthier suburbs Lack of funding: outdated textbooks, poor facilities, less/no technology Lack of Parental/Community support

African Americans Largest racial minority, over 37 million, & the oldest in the U.S. Barriers to African American assimilation: Skin color & physical features make it easy for the dominant group to create negative stereotypes Brought in for labor (indentured servants) on plantations, lowest class Abolishing slavery later made it difficult for social mobility

African Americans cont. Gap between whites in education, income, & employment represents the legacy of centuries of prejudice & discrimination Avg. income is 62% of whites. 2x likely to work in low-level service jobs (U.S. Dept of Labor, 2004) >25% now work in professional & managerial occupations. As a result of upward mobility two classes exist: Growing black middle class Black underclass

Latinos Mexico, Central & South America, islands of the Caribbean. High birth rates & immigration rates make it the fastest growing minority population Nearly 67% of Latinos are of Mexican descent About 57% of adult Latinos have completed high school compared w/85% non-Latinos Mexican Americans have the lowest levels of educational attainment Cubans are the most affluent & educated of Latinos Avg. income of Latinos is higher than African Americans

Latinos cont. Poorest of Latinos are Puerto Rican- income level is ½ of whites Many Latinos work in low-paying & low-status jobs as semi-skilled workers & unskilled laborers Mex-Americans make up the majority of migrant workers Politically, they are becoming a force, shaping Amer politics As of 2005, 29 Latinos are in Congress > than 4,400 are elected officials Focus on issues of: education, employment, immigration & income

Native Americans More than 500 separate tribes & bands identified in the U.S. Suffering from the effects of hundreds of yrs of discrimination Over 24% live below the poverty line More than 24% work in professional & managerial positions. 24% hold sales & office positions 13% blue-collar jobs (maintenance & construction)

Native Americans cont. Development of gaming industry has improved tribal life by gaining economic independence. Attempted downtown development of the US Grant Hotel However, several challenges still exist to improve their lives: Healthcare Education Income Housing

Asian Americans Nearly 12 million live in the U.S. Largest groups are from: China, the Philippines, Japan, India, Korea & Vietnam. Chinese Americans Immigrated during the gold rush- worked as agricultural laborers & railroad crews. During hard times, many were forced into urban ghettos, Chinatowns, where many are still today Many Americans recognize their willingness to work hard, dedication to education & their contributions

Japanese Americans Suffered same discrimination as Chinese. Many were successful farmers, leading to anti-Japanese legislation. During WWII, Executive Order 9066, led to the forced interment of Japanese away from the West Coast. In the ’80s, U.S. govt. apologized & they received $20,000 in compensation. Overcame great hardship & became one of the most successful racial minorities. Used the educational system for upward mobility Nearly 50% have completed 4yrs of college opposed to 28% of whites (2005)