Racial and Ethnic Inequality Chapter 9 Racial and Ethnic Inequality

Objectives Describe what sociologists mean by the terms: minority, race, and ethnicity Discuss patterns of racial and ethnic relations Discuss the difference between prejudice and discrimination Explain 3 different views of racial inequalities (theories) Compare the condition of American minorities with that of the white majority

Minority Minority- group of people with physical or cultural traits different from the dominant group in society African Americans Native Americans Hispanics Other ethnic groups

Race People sharing certain inherited characteristics that are considered important within a society African American White/Caucasian Native American

Ethnicity Ethnic group- having a characteristic of a certain group sharing a culture, religion, language, etc.

Difference between Ethnicity and Race 2 black men- one from Georgia and one from Ethiopia Both men have the same RACE (black) and share the same physical characteristics Georgia is a Christian, speaks English, and celebrates the 4th of July Ethiopia is a Muslim, speaks 1 of the 84 languages, and celebrates the Birth of Mohammed They have different ETHNICITY

How Minorities Blend into Society (Patterns of Assimilation) 1- Minority group must be accepted 2- Group must be allowed to fully participate in society

Melting Pot of America 3 Forms of Assimilation 1- Anglo-conformity: minority accepts American standards of conduct Mexican immigrant learns English and only speaks English 2- Tossed salad (also known as cultural pluralism): more than one culture is being acted out Mexican immigrant speaks English at school, but Spanish at home and attends Spanish church services 3- Accommodation: perform minority culture, yet deal with dominant society Hutterites

Patterns of Conflict Minority is rejected Genocide: systematic effort to destroy entire population Hitler and Jews Population Transfer: group is forced to move to another location Cherokee and Trail of Tears Subjugation: group is denied equal access to culture and lifestyle of dominant society Laws- Jim Crow Practice- Jobs to one race

Discrimination ACTION of treating people differently based upon race, ethnicity, religion or culture

Prejudice Negative ATTITUDES toward a group (race, ethnicity, religion, culture)

Theories on Race Inequality Functionalist- See Racial Inequality as Positive Dysfunctions can be caused by prejudice/discrimination Safety and stability of society is at risk (protects the majority group) Majority feels superior and strengthens their self concept

Theories Cont. Conflict- majority uses prejudice and discrimination for power Control of property, goods, resources Minorities conflict with one another for what little power remains Shiite and Sunni Muslims

Theories Cont. Symbolic Interactionist: people learn prejudice from our family Language Blackmail, blackballed, etc Self-fulfilling prophecy: minorities are expected to act a certain way and will do so

Institutionalized Discrimination Unfair practices that grow out of common behaviors and attitudes Inner city schools and deterioration

Blue Collar Workers Wage earning workers that wear specialized clothing on the job Mechanics Miners Have their name on their shirt “Bob”

White Collar Workers Office workers Wear dress shirts to work (usually white) No manual labor

Minority Groups in the US African Americans Largest and oldest minority group Lack of acceptance because of physical features and place in history (slaves) Gaining in education and politics Latinos (people from Mexico, Central and South America) Fastest growing group- will be majority Migrant workers Half finish high school Joining politics

Minorities Cont. Native Americans Asian Americans Fight stereotypes Poverty Casinos and Opportunity Asian Americans Gold Rush of 1850s Internment during WWII

Minorities Cont. White Ethnics (European immigrants) Blue collar workers

Assignments Pg. 304 #2 Answer the 5 objectives at the beginning of presentation