1. Race and Ethnicity
Chap 7

2. Definitions
Ethnicity – identity of a group of people who share the cultural traditions of a particular homeland
Ex: Italian
Race – identity based on biological ancestry
Ex: Caucasian
HOWEVER most contemporary geographers find race to only be skin deep literally
No variation in species among different races
Humans are generally genetically the same

3. Ethnicities in the Contig. US

4. breakdown in US – Importance of Migration
African-Americans are most likely to be found in the Southeast
Asian-Americans are heavily concentrated in Hawai’i and California
Latinos are most likely to be found in Southwestern states, with California hosting 1/3 of all American Latinos
In the US, Latino and African-Americans are overwhelmingly found in urban areas

5. Legacy of Race in the US Has been a major issue for a long time
Slavery (obviously)
“Separate but equal” in schools and public facilities until 1954
Jim Crow laws
“White Flight” to suburbs
“Blockbusting” – to discourage blacks from moving into a neighborhood

6. Nationality V. Ethnicity
Nationality is technically linked to a particular country
For Americans, we use nationality to mean place of birth and ethnicity to be ancestral relations
Nationalism needs support through politicians
Nationalism is a centripetal force – used to UNIFY people or enhance support for a state. P – PULL together
Centrifugal force – spread out from the center and fall away from each other. F – FALL away

7. Multi-Ethnic States Coexistence of multiple ethnic groups
Ex: Great Britain – Wales, Scotland, England, Northern Ireland

8. Multi-ethnic states w. ISSUES
Russia
39 Nationalities
20% are non-Russian
Major issue now is Chechens (Sunni Muslims)
Tried to declare freedom in 1991
Responsible, or claim responsibility, for many terrorist acts within Russia

9. Issues Cont.
Armenia- small Christian state surrounded by Muslim states. Armenian genocide of early 20th century was a Turkish attempt to ethnically cleanse the area of Armenians.
Azerbaijan - Turks and Iranian ethnicities clash
Georgia – Ossetians and Abkhazians basically operate two separate nations within the borders.
Commonalities among these areas?

10. Clashing of Ethnicities
Religious differences
Power for control of government
Territory issues, sometimes HISTORICALLY- based battles
Can ultimately lead to ethnic cleansing