Links Social Construction Race and biology Jefferson Video Clip FHA Home loans:

Racial and Ethnic Inequality Sociology 70 “Race is one of the most misunderstood, misused, and often dangerous concepts of the modern world” Margaret Marger, Race Scholar Is race still significant? Relevant?

Lecture Outline I. Defining Race and the Social Construction of Race II. Patterns of Racial and Ethnic Group Interaction III. Social Problems and Race in Contemporary Society A) Prejudice, Racism, and Discrimination B) Institutional Racism C) Racial Stratification D) Strategies for action

Minority Groups Racial group: refers to a category of people who are believed to share physical characteristics that are deemed socially significant. Ethnic group: group set apart from others primarily because of its national origin or distinctive cultural patterns 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?

Race as a social construct We know race is socially constructed because the meaning of race has been inconsistent. The meaning of race has changed Over time Across cultures

The Origins of “Race” and Racial Domination Middle Age Europe: Race = Breeding stock/Horses, etc common ancestry and distinctive appearance 16 th Century New World: Race = People, nation, or variety Symbol of differentiation of non-European groups with distinctive appearance and culture (non Spanish and English colonizers) The idea of race emerges…

Origins of Race and Racial Domination “Race” became the tool through which Europeans could justify the domination, enslavement, and exploitation of racially “othered” groups. Which groups? Since race became a social construct, it has been used by those in power (dominant groups)to deny “others” (minority groups) access to valued resources and rights. What types of resources/rights?

Race and Science: Is Race Biological or Social? 17/1800’s and 1900’s (much of 20 th century) Scientists and Leaders assumed/attempt to prove race is innate/genetic and accounts for differences in behavior and ability Science attempts in many ways to justify superiority and inferiority of races in the social structure-Scientific Racism-Eugenics research etc. Modern Science Advanced science and genetics research shows that genetics cannot be correlated with racial classifications A essentialist perspective on race is no longer supported by modern science “Classifying people by color is very much like classifying cars by color. Those in the same classification look alike…but the classification tells you nothing about the hidden details of construction or about how the cars or people will perform” (Cohen 1998)

The Social Construction of Race Racial Formation: Basically, racial categories have been created, shaped, re-shaped, and destroyed throughout history depending on the social and historical context. Race is NOT biologically/genetically real, but it is very real in the social sense.

Why talk about Race? Is Racial Inequality a Social Problem? 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? 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 forms of racism and discrimination have changed, not disappeared.

II. Patterns of Racial and Ethnic Interaction Genocide Expulsion Segregation Acculturation Assimilation Pluralism

III. Prejudice, Racism, and Discrimination What’s the difference?

Prejudice Prejudice: “pre-judge” Attitudes that certain groups of people are either inferior or superior Can be either positive or negative Where do people learn prejudice? i.e. ? Stereotypes Prejudice and stereotypes evolve with a changing society Rise in Islamophobia Since when? Increased racial profiling, hate crimes, discrimination Racism A belief that race accounts for differences in human character and ability and that a particular race is superior to others

Discrimination The acts that arise from prejudices Individual discrimination: Unfair or unequal treatment based on group membership, on an individual level Individual Discrimination is: Subtle: for example not sitting next to someone; Not inviting a co-worker to lunch based on their race Blatant: Racial slurs; Hate Crimes - (2009) study-888 racial hate groups/organizations in U.S. Dept of Just-(2011)-6600 hate crimes reported-47% motivated by race-13% Ethnicity -Many more go unreported

Institutionalized Discrimination Institutionalized discrimination: how discrimination is woven into the fabric of society Looks at a culture of racism Does not look at individuals as racists The Denial of opportunities and equal rights that result from the normal operations of society and institutions Edu, CJS, HCS, economy, politics, etc

Institutional Racism/Discrimination on the basis of race Employment Discrimination Housing Education Criminal Justice System

Racial Stratification Wealth and Income Explaining the Wealth gap Intergenerational transmission of wealth I.e.: The Conley example in your text Video: Power of an Illusion-White Suburbinization and FHA home loans

Strategies for Action: Responding to Prejudice, Racism, and Discrimination ???? What can be done????

Solutions? The EEOC AA Educational Strategies Retrospective Justice Initiatives

Other Topics or “Problems” to consider Immigration issues Hate crimes Race across the world