Introduction to the Language of Prejudice A Raisin in the Sun To Kill A Mockingbird

Get ready… Get set… Definitions!!!

Your Task THINK about these ideas. COPY the spelling and parts of speech of different forms of the words. DO NOT copy definitions at this time – this powerpoint will be on Ms. M’s website, and you can check later if you need to study.

What do you know? Define Ethnic Ethnicity Ethnocentrism Ethnocentric

Ethnic –(adj) of or relating to large groups of people classed according to common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background –(noun or adj.) a member of a minority ethnic group who retains the customs, language, or social views of the group Ethnicity (noun) – an ethnic quality or affiliation

Ethnocentrism (noun) – the tendency to believe that one’s ethnic or cultural group is centrally important, and that all other groups are measured in relation to one’s own. The ethnocentric individual will judge other groups relative to his or her own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behavior, customs, and religion. The term ethnocentrism was coined by William G. Sumner; he described it as often leading to pride, vanity, beliefs of one’s own group’s superiority, and contempt of outsiders. Ethnocentric (adj) – characterized by or based on the attitude that one’s own group is superior

Sooooo… Ethnicity is about a shared cultural background and Ethnocentrism is about believing that your cultural background is the best one.

What do you know? Define Race (as in a category)

Race (noun) –1. a) a breeding stock of animals. b) an actually or potentially interbreeding group within a species. c) a breed. –2. a) a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits. b ) a family, tribe, people, or nation belonging to the same stock. –3. a class or kind of people unified by shared interests, habits, or characteristics

RACE was a term once commonly used in physical anthropology to denote a division of humankind possessing traits that are transmissible by descent and sufficient to characterize it as a distinct human type (e.g., Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid). Today the term has little scientific standing, as older methods of differentiation, including hair form and body measurement, have given way to the comparative analysis of DNA and gene frequencies relating to such factors as blood typing, the excretion of amino acids, and inherited enzyme deficiencies. Because all human populations today are extremely similar genetically, most researchers have abandoned the concept of race for the concept of the cline, a graded series of differences occurring along a line of environmental or geographical transition …

… This reflects the recognition that human populations have always been in a state of flux, with genes constantly flowing from one gene pool to another, impeded only by physical or ecological boundaries. While relative isolation does preserve genetic differences and allow populations to maximally adapt to climatic and disease factors over long periods of time, all groups currently existing are thoroughly “mixed” genetically, and such differences as still exist do not lend themselves to simple typologizing. “Race” is today primarily a sociological designation, identifying a class sharing some outward physical characteristics and some commonalities of culture and history.

What do you know? Define Racism Racist

Racism (noun) –a) a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities, and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race –b) racial prejudice or discrimination Racist (noun or adjectival form of racism)

Soooo… RACISM is any action, practice, or belief that reflects the racial worldview – the ideology that humans are divided into separate and exclusive biological entities called “races;” that there is a causal link between inherited physical traits and traits of personality, intellect, morality, and other cultural behavioral features; and that some “races” are innately superior to others.

Did you know? Racism was at the heart of both North American slavery and the overseas colonization & empire-building activities of some western Europeans, especially in the 18th century. The idea of race was invented to magnify the differences between people of European origin in the U.S. and those of African descent whose ancestors had been brought against their will to function as slaves in the American South. By viewing Africans and their descendants as lesser human beings, …

… the proponents of slavery attempted to justify and maintain this system of exploitation while at the same time portraying the U.S. as a bastion and champion of human freedom, with human rights, democratic institutions, unlimited opportunities, and equality. The contradiction between slavery and the ideology of human equality, accompanying a philosophy of human freedom and dignity, seemed to demand the dehumanization of those enslaved. …

… Racism differs from ethnocentrism in that it is linked to physical and therefore immutable differences among people. Ethnic identity is acquired, and ethnic features are learned forms of behavior. Race, on the other hand, is a form of identity that is perceived as innate and unalterable … Racism reflects an acceptance of the deepest forms and degrees of divisiveness, and carries the implication that differences among groups are so great that they cannot be transcended.

What do you know? Define Prejudice/ prejudiced Bias/ biased Discriminate/ discrimination/ discriminatory

Prejudice (noun) –preconceived judgment or opinion; an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge –an instance of such judgment or opinion –an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics Prejudiced (adj.) –resulting from or having a prejudice or bias for or especially against

Bias (noun) –a tendency –an inclination of temperament or outlook; a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment; prejudice –an instance of such prejudice Biased (adj.) –exhibiting or characterized by bias

Discriminate (verb) –to make a distinction, or use good judgment –make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit. or Discrimination (noun) –the act, practice, or a particular instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually –a prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment. Discriminatory (adj.) –applying or favoring discrimination in treatment.

Sooooo… Prejudice and bias are fairly close synonyms. The difference is: Prejudice is generally about being negative without good reason, while bias is about forming a judgment without good reason. Discriminate simply means to make a distinction. One can discriminate in favor of or against someone, but some people only know the word’s negative and prejudiced meaning.

Sooooo… From now on, you need to use the appropriate word. AND You must spell it correctly. Be prepared for a vocab quiz on these words during our next class!