Race and Ethnicity Topics Sociology

Racial-Ethnic Makeup of the United States

U.S. Racial-Ethnic Groups Figure 12.5 on page 331 What do you see about the racial-ethnic makeup of the U.S. from this figure? Do the numbers surprise you at all? How do you see the numbers changing in the next twenty years?

Distribution of Dominant and Minority Groups View figure 12.6 on page 333 Why do you think Hawaii, California, and New Mexico have the highest percentage of minority groups? Why do you think Main, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Iowa have the lowest percentage of minority groups?

The Immigration Debate

The Immigration Debate “Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.” - Franklin Roosevelt

The Immigration Debate "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” - Emma Lazarus, 1883

The Immigration Debate More than 1 million immigrants have come to the United States in the past 20 years. Today, more than 34 million immigrants live in the United States.

Legal Immigration Process

Legal Immigration Process Often takes years to complete Can be costly with legal fees piling up Have to pass a naturalization test Practice test on the Wiki

Immigration How will continued immigration affect the racial-ethnic makeup of the United States? Read box on pg. 345 Using conflict theory, what groups are likely to be threatened by this change? Using symbolic theory, consider how groups might perceive one another differently as their proportions of the population change. How will this affect people’s behavior? Using functional theory, how will different parts of society benefit from these changes? What functions or dysfunctions can you anticipate for politics, economics, education, or religion?

Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action Initiated by President Kennedy in 1961 Goals based on race and gender are used in hiring, promotion, and college admission. Controversy Some say it’s a way to level the playing field Some say putting race ahead of ability is reverse discrimination

Affirmative Action Legal Challenges In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 209, which banned preferences to minorities and women in hiring practices, promotions, and college admissions. In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that college universities can give minorities an edge in admissions, but there must be a meaningful review of individual applicants. President Obama on Affirmative Action

Multicultural Society

Toward a True Multicultural Society Minority groups will participate successfully in the nation’s social institutions while maintaining cultural integrity

Racial Identity

Race and Language: Self-Labels Read box on page 46 On a piece of paper, write down answers to the “For Your Consideration” questions

Racial Identity Reflection See the Wiki for your reflection assignment guidelines