sociology chapter 8

conflict theory approach to race & ethnicity

Racial and ethnic differences create intergroup conflict Minority and majority groups have different interests and may find themselves at odds as they attempt to secure and protect their interests

double consciousness

W.E.B. DuBois's term for the divided identity experienced by blacks in the United States

pluralism

a cultural pattern of intergroup relations that encourages racial and ethnic variation and acceptance within a society (ex: salad bowl)

individual discrimination

discrimination carried out by one person against another

Miscegenation

romantic, sexual, or marital relationships between people of different races

cultural assimilation

the process by which racial or ethnic groups are absorbed into the dominant group by adopting the dominant group's culture

Critical Race Theory (CRT)

the study of the relationship between race, racism, and power

antiracist allies

whites and others working toward the goal of ending racial injustice

assimilation

a pattern of relations between ethnic or racial groups in which the minority group is absorbed into the mainstream or dominant group, making society more homogenous

racism

a set of beliefs about the claimed superiority of one racial or ethnic group; used to justify inequality and often rooted in the assumption that differences between groups are genetic

ethnicity

a socially defined category based on common language, religion, nationality, history, or another cultural factor

prejudice

an idea about the characteristics of a group that is applied to all members of that group and is unlikely to change regardless of the evidence against it (ex: all Irish are drunks)

race consciousness

an ideology that acknowledges race as a powerful social construct that shapes our individual and social experiences

color-blind racism

an ideology that removes race as an explanation for any form of unequal treatment

passing

presenting yourself as a member of a different group than the stigmatized group you belong to

minority group

social group that is systematically denied the same access to power and resources available to society's dominant groups though they are not necessarily fewer in number than the dominant groups

cultural appropriation

the adoption of cultural elements belonging to an oppressed group by members of the dominant group, without permission and often for the dominant group's gain (art, dance, music, dress, language)

privilege

unearned advantage accorded to members of dominant social groups (males, whites, heterosexuals, the physically able, etc.)

internal colonialism

the economic and political subjugation of the minority group by the dominant group within a nation

population transfer

the forcible removal of a group of people from the territory they have occupied (ex: stealing native American land ->Indian reservations)

segregation

the physical and legal separation of groups by race or ethnicity

racial assimilation

the process by which racial minority groups are absorbed into the dominant group through intermarriage

discrimination

unequal treatment of individuals based on their membership in a social group; usually motivated by prejudice (ex: turned down from job bc black)

race

a socially defined category based on real or perceived biological differences between groups of people

situational ethnicity

an ethnic identity that can be either displayed or concealed depending on its usefulness in a given situation (ex: speaking in Arabic or not)

symbolic ethnicity

an ethnic identity that is only relevant on specific occasions and does not significantly impact everyday life (ex: st. Patrick's day - green, corn beef, beer)

institutional discrimination

discrimination carried out systematically by institutions (political, economic, educational, and others) that affect all members of a group who come into contact with it

Microaggressions

everyday uses of subtle verbal and nonverbal communications that that convey denigrating or dismissive messages to members of a certain social group (ex: where are you really from)

symbolic interactionism approach to race & ethnicity

race and ethnicity are part of our identity as displayed through our presentation of self

structural functionalism approach to race & ethnicity

racial and ethnic differences are a necessary part of society. Even racial inequality has functions that help maintain social order

Reverse Racism

the claim by whites that they suffer discrimination based upon their race, therefore, experience social disadvantages

genocide

the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group. (ex: holocaust)

embodied identity

those elements of identity that are generated through others' perceptions of our physical traits