Chapter 9, Race and Ethnicity The U.S. System of Racial Classification The U.S. System of Ethnic Classification Chance, Context and Choice The Foreign-Born Population The Consequences of Racial and Ethnic Classification

U.S. System of Racial Classification 1. Black or African American 2. White 3. American Indian or Alaskan native 4. Native Hawaiian or other pacific islander 5. Asian 6. Other race

U.S. System of Racial Classification In 1997, the U.S. government declared that people could identify themselves as more than one of the six official categories. They have yet to decide how they will count those who identify themselves as more than one race. The term, multiracial, was not accepted as a classification.

Problems With Clear Cut Racial Categories Many people do not fit into a single racial category. Boundaries between races can never be fixed and definite. Racal categories and guidelines are often vague, contradictory, and subject to change.

Factors for Immigrants That Shape Life Chances in the U.S. Nature of their migration: political refugee, voluntary immigrant, involuntary immigrant. Social and economic status they occupied in their home countries. Social atmosphere that greets them.

Characteristics of Minority Groups Membership is involuntary. Designation is not necessarily based on numbers. Nonparticipation by the minority group in the life of the larger society.

Seven Levels of Absorption Assimilation 1. Group abandons its culture for that of the dominant group. 2. The group enters into the dominant group's social networks and institutions. 3. The group intermarries and procreates with members of the dominate group. 4. Group identifies with the dominant group.

Seven Levels of Absorption Assimilation 5. Group encounters no widespread prejudice from members of the dominate group. 6. Group encounters no widespread discrimination from members of the dominant group. 7. Group has no value conflicts with members of the dominant group.

Racist Ideologies: Three Notions 1. People can be classified into categories on the basis of physical characteristics. 2. A close correspondence exists between physical traits and characteristics such as language, dress, personality, intelligence, and athletic capabilities. 3. Physical attributes such as skin color are so significant that they explain and determine behavior and inequalities.

Eliminating the Consequences of Racial Classification: Suggestions Consider situations where racial classification occurs and ask if its correcting past injustices or contributing to further injustice. Develop the intellectual discipline to recognize race thinking.

Eliminating Consequences of Racial Classification: Suggestions Make an effort to understand differences between people of different classifications and to see similarities across categories. Learn to recognize that differences in power and privilege shape relationships among people. Remember that the ideas of race and ethnicity as social constructions does not meant that the experience of race or ethnicity is an illusion.