Racial, Ethnicity, and Immigration Chapter 3 Does race still matter? What’s the difference between prejudice and discrimination? Are you colorblind? Why and how was the concept of race invented?

I. The Significance of Race How do we define Race and Ethnicity?

Defining Race and Ethnicity Ethnic Groups – Ethnic groups are categories of people who are distinctive on the basis of national origin or heritage, language, customs, or cultural practices. What is distinctive about your ethnic identity? Ethnic Groups – Ethnic groups are categories of people who are distinctive on the basis of national origin or heritage, language, customs, or cultural practices. What is distinctive about your ethnic identity?

Defining Race and Ethnicity Racial Groups – Physical differences, not cultural – Socially constructed

Race-A Social Construction – Each society socially constructs the meaning of symbols Social Construction of Race – What does this mean? – Each society socially constructs the meaning of symbols Social Construction of Race – What does this mean?

Minority Groups Minority group: subordinate group whose members have significantly less control or power than members of dominant or majority group – Race? What other groups are minority groups? What characteristics create minority groups? Minority group: subordinate group whose members have significantly less control or power than members of dominant or majority group – Race? What other groups are minority groups? What characteristics create minority groups?

Modern Perspectives on Significance of race One Argument: Race no longer matters – There is equal opportunity due to civil rights movement – We live in a color-blind society Do we? Have we reached the promise land that MLK spoke of in 1963? Are you “color-blind”? What does it mean to be “color-blind”? – Are children color blind? – What is wrong with the notion that we live in a color- blind or post-racial society?

Perspectives Opposition (Sociological): Race structures society and is highly significant. While trends may be encouraging, and there are no longer legally enforced forms of racial domination, racial inequality is widespread and racism certainly still exists, although it is much less overt/hidden - Race and ethnicity organize societies and play a large role in fueling violence around the globe. -Existence of hate crimes and hate organizations (Increasing rates of membership) -Existence of racial inequalities -Poverty rates, wealth and income gaps -Criminal Justice system injustices -Education system inequalities -Prejudice and discrimination towards minority groups -Studies show that stereotypes reinforced in media

Example: Race changing over time

Example: Race across cultures How many races are in the United States? Brazil? –