Racial and Ethnic Minorities Chapter 10

Learning Objectives  Describe the genetic, legal, and social approaches to defining race.  Explain the concept of ethnic group.  Know how the sociological concept of minority is used.  Understand the relationship between prejudice and discrimination.  Recognize the effect of institutionalized prejudice and discrimination.  Discuss the history of immigration to the United States.  Describe the characteristics of the major racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

The Concept of Race A category of people who are defined as similar because of a number of physical characteristics.

Historical Means for Defining Race  Genetic – gene frequency and differences  Legal – most commonly determined by lack of “whiteness” Different states had different criteria. (Ex. Lousiana).  Social definition – membership based on presentation of self

Variables of Racial Definition Multiracial Ancestry  Children born to parents of multiple races represent more than one race (8-9 million)  Ancestors come from more than one race Interracial Marriage  Marriage between two people of differing racial groups (about 15% of all marriages in 2010)

The Concept of Ethnic Group A group with distinct cultural tradition that its own members identify with and that may or may not be recognized by others. Have distinctive folkways and mores; strong feelings of association.

The Concept of Minority A group of people who, because of physical or cultural characteristics, are singled out from others in society for differential and unequal treatment, and who therefore regard themselves as objects of collective discrimination.

Problems in Race and Ethnic Relations Prejudice An irrationally based negative—or occasionally positive—attitude toward certain groups and their members.

 Causes of Prejudice Draws together those who hold it Draws together those who hold it Eases conscience of exploiters in depriving others based on perception of competitors as somehow less than human or inherently unworthy. Eases conscience of exploiters in depriving others based on perception of competitors as somehow less than human or inherently unworthy. Allows projection onto others of those parts of ourselves that we do not like and therefore try to avoid facing. (lazy; unintelligent) Allows projection onto others of those parts of ourselves that we do not like and therefore try to avoid facing. (lazy; unintelligent)

Discrimination Differential treatment, usually unequal and injurious, accorded to individuals who are assumed to belong to a particular category or group.

 Types of Discriminators Unprejudiced Discriminators Unprejudiced Discriminators Those who constantly think of expediencyThose who constantly think of expediency Unprejudiced Nondiscriminators Unprejudiced Nondiscriminators Neither prejudiced against the members of other racial and ethnic groups, nor do they practice discriminationNeither prejudiced against the members of other racial and ethnic groups, nor do they practice discrimination Prejudiced Nondiscriminators Prejudiced Nondiscriminators Do not accept the ideal of equality for all but conform to it and give it lip service when the slightest pressure is appliedDo not accept the ideal of equality for all but conform to it and give it lip service when the slightest pressure is applied Prejudiced Discriminators Prejudiced Discriminators Do not believe in equality; openly express and act on their feelings of intoleranceDo not believe in equality; openly express and act on their feelings of intolerance

Institutional Prejudice and Discrimination Complex societal arrangements that restrict the life chances and choices of a specifically defined group in comparison with those of the dominant group.

Patterns of Racial and Ethnic Relations AssimilationPluralismSubjugationSegregationExplusionAnnihilation

Assimilation  The process whereby groups with different cultures come to have a common culture  Dress, language, values, attitudes  Forced assimilation

Pluralism  The development and coexistence of separate racial and ethnic group identities within a society Philosophical viewpoint that attempts to produce what is considered to be a desirable social situation Philosophical viewpoint that attempts to produce what is considered to be a desirable social situation Celebrates the differences among groups of people Celebrates the differences among groups of people Implies a hostility to existing inequalities Implies a hostility to existing inequalities Provides a means for minorities to resist the pull of assimilation Provides a means for minorities to resist the pull of assimilation Assumes that the minority is a primary unit of society; whole depends on harmony of the parts. Assumes that the minority is a primary unit of society; whole depends on harmony of the parts.

Subjugation  The subordination of one group and the assumption of a position of authority, power, and domination by the other (Ex. Native Americans).

Segregation  A form of subjugation The act, process, or state of being set apart The act, process, or state of being set apart Places limits and restrictions on the contact, communication, and social relations among groups Places limits and restrictions on the contact, communication, and social relations among groups Physical as well as social Physical as well as social Dejure/Defacto Dejure/Defacto

Expulsion  The process of forcing a group to leave the territory in which it lives Can be accomplished through forced migration Can be accomplished through forced migration The relocation of a group through direct action The relocation of a group through direct action

Annihilation  The deliberate extermination of a racial or ethnic group

Racial and Ethnic Immigration to the United States  Two perspectives of white ethnic immigration Old migration Old migration People from northern Europe who came before the 1880s.People from northern Europe who came before the 1880s. New migration New migration Much larger in numbersMuch larger in numbers People from southern and eastern Europe who came between 1880 and 1920.People from southern and eastern Europe who came between 1880 and 1920.

Contemporary Immigration Legal Immigration  Strongly connected to family ties Latino, Asian, European, other (in order of numbers) Latino, Asian, European, other (in order of numbers) Illegal Immigration  2011 U.S. Census estimate 11.5 million undocumented immigrants 59% from Mexico 59% from Mexico El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and China comprise bulk of remainder El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and China comprise bulk of remainder

America’s Ethnic Composition Today

Contemporary Ethnic Groups  White Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs)  Goal: The Americanization of immigrant groups  1841-American Protestant Union-to oppose the threat of Catholics.  Americanization Movement: persuade immigrants to learn English and become patriotic

African Americans  43.9 million; 13.5% of pop.  Median household income in $32,068.  Only 45% of African-American families are married-couple families

Hispanics (Latinos)  Largest minority group in the U.S.  50.5 million in 2010; 16.3% of pop.  About 59% born outside of U.S.

Hispanics Mexican Americans  32 million in 2010; 29.5% of all U.S. immigrants living in this country  Lower levels of income, education; higher poverty rates and unemployment than other Hispanic groups

Hispanics Puerto Ricans  Citizens of U.S. since 1917  4.6 million  Second lowest median family income of Hispanic groups (Dominicans have the lowest)

Hispanics Cuban Americans  1959 Revolution  155,000 immigrated between 1959 and 1962  1980-from Mariel Harbor-125,000-poor, uneducated, prisoners, mentally ill  24% have bachelor’s degrees (double that of Mexicans)

Asian Americans  300,000 Chinese between 1850 and 1880  million  Most are middle class; highly educated; 50% 25 and older have bachelor’s degree or higher (28% of all Americans)  16% of freshman class at Harvard and other universities (2010)  2010-median household income $67,000

Native Americans  million  Median household income-$35,020 (Entire nation=$54,046)  28.4% poverty in 2010  Teen suicides 5x national average  Male life expectancy-48  Alcoholism

Diverse Society  Complex and constantly changing  Evolving trends  Resurgent ethnic identity movements  Not a melting pot Simplistic, idealistic concept Simplistic, idealistic concept  Dependent on mutual respect