1. Analyzing Why Humans Separate into Categories- What has been called the “We vs. Them” Approach Understanding the Jena 6 Story More

2. What We Are Doing… Examining a theory (idea) revolving around race & ethnicity We’ll be looking at the language of this theory and the complexities Answer the questions we have been asking in regards to the root causes for the Jena 6 story Understanding how this theory works, will help put the Jena 6 into a bigger conversation To ask ourselves whether or nor this historic behavior is something we still want to exist in our modern 21 st century society Why We Are Doing This..

3. 1. What purpose(s) does separating into categories serve in our society? 2. What are the impacts on human society? 3. How do we study race and ethnicity to get some answers? 4. Does this theory help to explain a societal problem like the Jena 6?

4. Hutu man from Rwanda In 1994, Rwanda had an ethnic civil war between the Hutu and Tutsi people By April of 1994- almost 800,000 Tutsi men, women, & children were killed by Hutu led government and military forces This is known as the Rwanda Genocide Tutsi man from Rwanda

5. Take 30 seconds to answer the following question common on most applications of any kind: Question 9: What is your race:  White/Caucasian  Black  Asian/Pacific Islander  Hispanic/Latino  Other Thinking Now: What are the purposes of these categories?

6. A theory for you to consider today… Social Constructionist Approach to Race & Ethnicity Theory or approach that questions how humans shape (put together) mechanisms (systems/rule) that motivate social relations (interaction btwn people) in societies Theory suggests that race does not exist! There is only one race = human Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, etc is man made

8. Approach does not look at obvious physical differences between people- but looks at how people have reacted towards those differences by various groups in various settings/places: For example: How were German citizens in the 1930s convinced that Jews were to blame for their issues and therefore implemented what we now know as the Holocaust?- 6 million Jews killed

9. Zapotec Women from Western Mexico Mayan Women from Southern Mexico

10. Constructing Ethnicity: Ethnicity  Differences btwn individuals and groups in skin color, language, religion, culture, national origin, and geography Ethnic constructions usually are attached with meanings and stereotypes: For example: All blacks and Mexicans are lazy; All Asians are smart; All Americans are white, blonde, and blue eyed What kind of problems does this create?: Be specific and you can use examples from history or your experience.

11. What purpose does the following picture serve? Constructing Ethnic Boundaries This view suggests the following: Ethnicity and Race is about who is on the inside and who is on the outside of an ethnic boundary

12. Spatial Boundaries- Borders between countries/cities/neighborhoods,etc- Legal Boundaries- Who is not a member or citizen, resident- Cultural Boundaries- food, taste, fashion, slang, accent, dialects, etc

13. How would you categorize Mr. P if you saw him walking down the street? Mr. P is from Nigeria  in the U.S. he’s considered Black or African or maybe African-American In Nigeria, the color of his skin is irrelevant. What village he is from  what language he speaks  and what religion he practices  determines whether he is accepted or not

14. LOCATION…LOCATION…LOCATION! Where you are is the most important factor for race or ethnicity  in other words… Circumstance! These circumstances determine the rules you play by!

15. Who makes the rules in a society, determine whether you are on the INSIDE or OUTSIDE: Can you think of examples of people on the inside vs. outside? Examples: Straight  Inside; Gay  Outside Man  Inside; Woman  Outside White  Inside; Person of Color  Outside Rich  Inside; Poor  Outside ETC, ETC, ETC

16. What is the focus of this theory/approach? How does it try to answer the questions posed in beginning? Focus is not on the biological differences between race and ethnicity- nor debating the physical differences btwn black, white, women, men, gay, straight Focus is analyzing the structures (rules) created by people within society that divide people and the impact it has on individuals and groups

17. NOT ABOUT THIS…IT IS ABOUT…

18. Questions, concerns, thoughts, clarifications?... Let’s get you thinking and writing now… Reflection Describe 3 things you learned today about race, ethnicity and human behavior. How do you think this theory can impact racism and discrimination?

19. Slavery was mostly an economic system that revolved around the industrial revolution of Europe:

20. These next two videos will get you ready for a much larger conversation to come about what is referred to now as Institutional Racism- As you watch these two clips, think about the following: 1. What do you think is the driving force behind slavery? Why have slaves? 2. How do these videos connect to the theory of Social Construction of race? Amistad (1997) Slaves and the Slavery Auction