SOCI Chapter 8

Race Justifies Social Inequalities as Natural

As the race concept evolved, it justified extermination of certain groups and racial practices were institutionalized with government, laws, and society

Pluralism

Cultural pattern of intergroup relations that encourages racial/ethnic variation/acceptance within a society

Genocide

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

Slavery Predates race

Throughout history society has enslaved individuals but not because of physical characteristics or a belief in national inferiority (America is unique in that we enslaved based on physical characteristics)

Variation Within NOT Between Races

85% of genetic variability exists within local population regardless of race

Assimilation

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

Race as a Modern Idea

Ancient societies did not divide people according to physical differences, but according to religion, status, class, and even language

Individual Discrimination

Discrimination carried out by one person against another

Institutional Discrimination

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

Internal Colonialism

Economic/political subjugation of the minority group by the dominant group within a nation

Embodied Identity

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

Situational Ethnicity

Ethnic identity that can be either displayed or concealed depending on its usefulness in a given situation

Symbolic Ethnicity

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

Population Transfer

Forcible removal of a group of people from the territory that have occupied

Prejudice

Idea about the characteristics of a group that is applied to all members of that group and is unlikely to change regardless of evidence against it

Skin Deep

Most traits are inherited independently from one another. The genes for skin color have nothing to do with the genes for hair texture, eye shape, blood type, musical ability, or athletic ability

Race has No Genetic Basis

Not one characteristic, trait or gene, distinguishes all members of one so-called race from all members of another so-called race

Passing

Presenting yourself as a member of a different racial or ethnic group than the one you were born into

Colorblindness will Not End Racism

Pretending race does not exist is not the same thing as equality. Race is more than stereotypes and individual prejudice. To combat racism we need to identify and remedy social policies that advantage some groups at the expense of others

Racial Assimilation

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

Cultural Assimilation

Process by which racial/ethnic groups are absorbed into the dominant group by adopting the dominant group's culture

Symbolic Interactionism and Race/Ethnicity

Race and ethnicity are part of our identity as displayed through our presentation of self, created symbolically in everyday actions

Race isn't Biological but Racism is Real

Race is a powerful social idea that gives people different access to opportunities and resources. Government/society have created advantages for being white that affects everyone.

Structural Functionalism and Race/Ethnicity

Racial and ethnic differences are a necessary part of society. Even racial inequality has functions that help maintain social order. Groups have a tendency toward ethnocentrism, which binds people together but also makes them act unfavorably toward those outside the group.

Conflict Theory and 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. Majority groups use racism and ethnocentrism to protect their interests.

Miscegnation

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

Racism

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

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 group

Ethnicity

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

Race

Socially defined category based on real or perceived biological differences

Segregation

The physical/legal separation of groups by race/ethnicity

Discrimination

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

Human Subspecies Don't Exist

Unlike many animals, modern humans have not been around long enough, nor have populations been isolated enough, to evolve into separate subspecies or races. Despite surface differences, we are among the most similar of all species.

Double-Consciousness

W.E.B Dubois- divided identity experienced by blacks in America

Race and Freedom were Born Together

When the US was founded, equality was a radical new idea, yet our early economy was based on slavery. Race helped explain why some were denied the freedom our country was founded on