Chapter 8: Race and Ethnicity as Lived Experience

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 among groups are genetic

minority group

a social group that is systematically denied access to power and resources available to the dominant groups of a society

ethnicity

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

genocide

the deliberate and systematic extermination of a racial, ethnic, national, or cultural group

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

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

privilege

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

discrimination

unequal treatment of individuals based on their membership in a social group; usually motivated by prejudice

antiracist allies

whites and others working toward the goal of ending racial injustice

symbolic interactionism

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

conflict theory

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 America

pluralism

a cultural pattern of intergroup relations that encourages racial and ethnic variation and acceptance within a society

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

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

symbolic ethnicity

an ethnic identity that is only relevant on specific occasions and does not significantly impact everyday life

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

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

implicit bias

attitudes or stereotypes that are embedded at an unconscious level and may influence our perceptions, decisions, and actions

individual discrimination

discrimination carried out by one person against another

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 communication that may send denigrating messages to members of certain social groups

passing

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

structural functionalism

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

miscegenation

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

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

white nationalism

the belief that the nation should be built around a white identity that is reflected in region, politics, economics, and culture

reverse racism

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

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

the study of the relationships among race, racism, and power

embodied identity

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