Key Issue 1 Human Geography Larson

Geographic Perspective Geographers reject race as biological classification because it doesn’t tell them anything about WHY people live WHERE they do. Ethnic classification are important because ethnicity is tied to place. However, race matters only as a tool to explain WHY certain groups of people who look similar live, attend school, or play near one another.

Ethnicity Identity with a group of people who share the cultural traditions of a particular homeland. Tied to place. We get our ethnic traits through connections with, and isolation from, other groups.

Where are ethnicities distributed? Clustering- different ethnic groups can live in distinct areas of both the country and a city.

City Ethnic Clustering African Americans- live in urban areas. 1/4 of US citizens live in Urban areas ½ of African Americans live in Urban areas. Similar numbers for Hispanics

Ethnicity in the United States of America 3 Prominent Ethnic Groups determined by different criteria African Americans – Split into 2 groups – African American Ethnicity – Cultural Heritage from Latin America Asian Americans – Also a Race – Includes many Ethnicities Hispanic Americans – Not a race – On U.S. census Latinos may select whatever race they like

Racial Characteristics Genetically transmitted – Like father like son – Height, eye color, skin, shape, etc. determined by genes passed along to people from their parents – Very little differences between races. All human. – Because of a lack of isolation among groups race is too complex to be understood under a microscope.

Race and Racism A belief in one groups ‘genes’ are superior, better than, another groups ‘genes’ Is race the primary influence on human traits and capacity? – i.e. Are Blacks better at basketball? Racist- a person who believes race is the primary influence on human traits and capacity

2010 U.S. Census Results 77.7% White 13.2% Black 5.3% Asian 1.2% American Indian or Alaskan Native 17.1% Hispanic*** no box available 2.9% selected more than one box

Separate But Equal Segregation or the separation of races in American History Plessy vs. Ferguson legalized “Separate but equal” Jim Crow Laws – Back of the bus – Separate facilities, schools, bathrooms, drinking fountains, etc. – Separate but Equal inherently unequal- Brown vs. Board of Education Historically, governmental regulation, now cultural preference. (voluntary segregation) thus creating an ethnic enclave.

White Flight Ethnic enclave-to have one ethnic neighborhood surrounded by a different ethnicity. Reaction to Brown vs. Board of Education: desegregation of schools. Alternative: white population to relocate to suburbs Detroit Demographics White population 1.7 mil.9 mil.3.2 Black population.3 mil.7 mil.8.8

Blockbusting-1950’s+ Whites sell homes (quickly and cheaply which would cause property values to decrease) in fear neighborhood changing from dominant white to dominant black Blacks move into new neighborhood (at an increased price) to escape “Ghetto”. Neighborhood switches from predominantly white to dominantly black

Do we live in a segregated society? Does our city appear to be segregated? Are other American Cities similarly segregated? Are certain neighborhoods or sections of the city dominated by a specific ethnicity? Are suburbs dominated by certain ethnicities?