1. ETHNICITY An introduction

2. Ethnicity - Introduction  Ethnicity: group of people w/ a common identity based on a distinct but shared culture (i.e. common homeland, language, religion, or race).  Comes from Greek word “ethnos” which refers to a unique and cohesive group…i.e. us v. them

3. Ethnicity v. Race  Ethnicity and race not necessarily same thing  Race = genetic traits, biologically inherited physical characteristics  Ethnicity involves more than biological characteristics. May include that, but goes well beyond to include person’s social and cultural identity….i.e. people of same race can form many different ethnicities

4. Ethnicity  Ethnocentrism: one’s conviction of ethnic superiority (like racism for an ethnic group)  Ethnic groups usually have ties to a particular homeland – often leads to ethnic cleansing or violence is to try to control piece of land  Ethnicity is strongest tie for local diversity against globalization. Even if glob engulfs relig and lang, ethnicity will likely remain

6. Ethnicity  Ethnic groups can be difficult to identify….usually self-identified. Do we see ourselves as a unique and cohesive group…i.e. us versus them?

7. Ethnic Distributions  In United States:  13% African American  13% Hispanic (surpassing AA)  4% Asian American  1% American Indian  (white/Caucasian not an ethnicity)….why not?

8. Ethnic Clusters  Ethnic enclave: voluntary residential segregation based on ethnicity (i.e. ethnic neighborhoods…Hispanic barrios, China town, little Havana)

9. Segregation  De jure seg V. de facto seg  De jure = legalized (Plessey v. Ferguson, apartheid in S. Africa)

10. Homer Plessey

11. De Jure Segregation  Overturned by Brown v. BOE  Nelson Mandella in S. Africa

12. De Facto Segregation  Not legal – just happens. Ethnic clustering or ethnic enclaves  i.e. white side of town, black side of town, etc.

13. Segregation by Scale  Segregation can happen on 2 scales – within the region of a country or within neighborhoods of a city  Regional Segregation in U.S.  African Am in SE and cities  Hispanics in SW  Asian Am in west (Hawaii, CA)  Am Indians in SW and plains

14. De Facto Seg by Scale  Segregation within cities…..east side, west side, etc.  African Am highly clustered in cities (@ ¼ of all Americans live in cities, but ½ of all African Am in cities)  Ex: Chicago = 1/3 AA, Ill 1/12 AA  Ex: Detroit = 4/5 AA, Michigan 1/14 AA

15. Resurgence of Ethnic Identity  Last 20 yrs has seen resurgence of ethnic identity. During Cold War, Communism dominated E. Europe and repressed ethnic and cultural differences. After the fall of Communism ethnicity rebounded- led to breakup of several states and ethnic violence  Ex: Yugoslavia – ethnic cleansing  USSR – dismantled along ethnic lines  Czechoslovakia (Velvet Divorce) All divided along cultural/ethnic divides

16. Ethnic Cleansing  In worst cases ethnic violence can lead to ethnic cleansing – process by which more powerful ethnic group forcibly removes less powerful ethnic group in order to create ethnic homogeneity. Can be achieved by..  Forced migration - push out, burn homes, destroy towns  Genocide: premeditated effort to kill all from certain ethnic group (Holocaust)