Sociology Exam 2

What do policy experts mean by the terms perverse incentives and unintended consequences?

Aiding the poor creates more problems than it solves.

What practices were used by opponents of voter rights to suppress the voters in the U.S. in the 2020 election? Examples of voter discrimination include:

All of the above

"Racial Profiling" refers to the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual's race, ethnicity, religion or national origin. Criminal profiling, generally, as practiced by police, is the reliance on a group of characteristics they believe to be associated with crime. In the U.S. Black are racially profiled, but not Mexican Americans.

False

According to conflict theory of poverty argues that poverty, stratification (social class) and inequality are actually constructive phenomena that benefit society because they ensure the best people are at the top of the hierarchy and those who are less worthy are at the bottom. Those at the top are given power and rewards because of the high abilities and the high rewards exist to provide incentive for qualified people to do the most important work in high status occupations. Thus, inequality ensures that the most functionally important jobs are filled by the best qualified people.

False

After reading various articles and listening to Professor Villarreal's lecture on CRT, we learned that there is no relationship or ties of CRT and its role in hate crimes in the U.S. and across the world.

False

After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848, new government promised a number of rights that guaranteed they would become citizens, such as "the right to their property, language, and culture." As a result, Mexican Americans who chose to stay in the U.S. were allowed to keep their land and were treated as first-class citizens.

False

Cesar Chavez became a radical spokesperson for the Land Rights/ La Alianza -Northern New México in New Mexico.

False

During the Depression of the 1930s, many Mexican Americans who were U.S. citizens were expelled from the U.S. under the auspices of social welfare agencies. This was known as the Mexican Repatriation which took place mostly in California only but not in other states like Michigan.

False

Functionalist theorists argue that poverty, and stratification benefit the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor because those in high-status positions continually build on their wealth only further entrenching the gap between high-status and low-status people. Functional theorists hold that competition and inequality are not inevitable but are created and maintained by people.

False

In our discussion of Mexican Americans who had served in the military, we learned that at the age of 21, Marine Sergeant Freddy Gonzalez was killed during the Tet Offensive in Hue City, Vietnam. For his actions defending his platoon that day, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Later, in 1996, in honor of his actions a U.S. Navy warship, the USS Gonzalez, was named after him. Sergeant Gonzalez was raised in McAllen, Texas.

False

In our discussion of lynchings against people of color, we concluded that lynchings against Blacks in the U.S. is a dark chapter in history. However, there is no historical proof that lynchings against Mexican Americans ever occurred.

False

In professor Villarreal's discussion of La Raza Unida (the People's Party) he emphasized that although supporters were able to collect enough signatures to get on the ballot in Texas, the (RUP) was not able to win any local elections.

False

In the YouTube video entitled Deliverance: The Slum (Episode 1) | Al Jazeera Documentaries we gained insight into world poverty in the Philippines. In class, we concluded that the average women have about 7-8 children. We learned that the Catholic Church and their stand against birth control plays a significant role in women not seeking birth control measures.

False

Poverty's relation to ill health and early death. Sociologists have argued that poverty and rising income inequality are likely to produce both physical and social-psychological stress for individuals and families who must suffer its ill effects. This can lead to increasing susceptibility to illness and to an early death. However, in the U.S. this is not the case because we have the best health care system in the world.

False

The "Browning of America" (which is in process according to some scholars_ will create diversity in race, ethnicity, language and culture. It is highly unlikely that division and hostility towards non-white groups will occur.

False

The Chicano Movement achieved great success in changing Mexican American life's social and political inequalities during the 1960s and 1970s. Two court cases that preceded the 1960s set a precedent for future success in the Chicano Movement. In 1947, the Mendez vs. Westminster case's decision held that the segregation of Mexican American children was firmly unconstitutional and harmful to the assimilation of Mexican Americans into Anglo-American culture. The 1954 Hernandez vs. Texas case, decided by the Supreme Court, asserted that all nationalities and ethnicities in the United States have equal citizenship rights under the 14th amendment. According to Professor Villarreal, he was not personally involved in the Chicano Movement.

False

The Chicano Movement addressed many issues to reclaim Chicano power, especially in the fields of labor, land, education, politics, civil rights, art, and feminism. While "walk-outs" from school to protest discrimination occurred in California, this was not the case in Texas.

False

Upon further reading, we learned that "Corky" Gonzalez founded the United Farmworkers (UFW).

False

White supremacists argue that the influx of immigrants, people of color more specifically, will lead to the extinction of the white race, therefore, they support the teaching of CRT in schools.

False

White supremacy, beliefs and ideas purporting natural superiority of the lighter-skinned, or "white," human races over other racial groups. In contemporary usage, the term white supremacist has been used to describe some groups espousing ultranationalist, racist, or fascist doctrines. White supremacist groups have never relied on violence to achieve their goals.

False

Women did play a growing role in the Raza Unida Party in Texas in the 1970s, holding party offices at various levels and running as political candidates, as well as doing campaign work in many localities. However, women did not challenge the men to become more involved in the decision-making process in RUP.

False

In his discussion of the cycle of poverty, Professor Villarreal related that children born in poverty will have difficult times in an educational environment because the educational policy of placing some children in college-bound ("academic") paths and others in job-oriented ("vocational") paths is called

Tracking

Ceasar Chavez and Dolores Huerta were able to organize farmworkers in California and lead a successful strike against the large agricultural corporations. Thus, farmworker's salaries and lives improved as a result of the farmworker movement.

True

Corky Gonzales was one of the main co-founders of the Crusade for Justice. The Crusade for Justice was founded in Denver, Colorado.

True

During the 1850s and later, the Mexicans' knowledge of ranching, and mining laid the foundation for successful economic development of the Southwest by later white immigrants. Professor Villarreal emphasized that many Mexican miners were forced off their mines by Anglo miners.

True

Ethnicities are categories based on cultural traits that society finds important. In contrast, race is a category used to group individuals who share biological traits that seem important to society.

True

Historians and scholars are now noting that in the immediate aftermath of Trump's unexpected election as president in November 2016 and during his presidency, the reported incidence of hate crimes directed at minorities—including Muslims, Hispanics, and Jews—increased significantly, while racist hate groups became more outspoken and more numerous.

True

In Professor Villarreal's lecture on Critical Race Theory (CRT), we learned that the conservative elements of U.S. society feel that CRT is divisive and is designed to make people feel guilty about their racial identity or identify as an "oppressor" or as "oppressed." Another concern raised is that CRT is "indoctrinating" students and that it is counter-productive to focus on racial issues.

True

In Texas and California, as well as most other areas of the Southwest, European American settlers slowly took over land owned by Mexicans by legal and illegal means.

True

In our class discussions on white supremacy, we learned that in early 2016 the presidential campaign of real-estate developer Donald J. Trump, the eventual Republican nominee, attracted significant support from white supremacists and so-called white nationalists, who largely denied being racist but celebrated "white" identity and lamented the alleged erosion of white political and economic power and the decline of white culture in the face of nonwhite immigration and multiculturalism. Trump admirers were members of the "alt-right" (alternative right) movement, a loose association of relatively young white supremacists, white nationalists, extreme libertarians, and neo-Nazis that included QAnon followers and members of the Proud Boys.

True

In our continued discussion on forced migration, we learned that many indigenous people in Mexico are forced out of their homes and land by criminal gangs who operate with impunity, thus, the reasons for migration, asylum seeking and forced displacement throughout Mexico and Central America are becoming more and more similar: conflict and invasion by armed criminal groups that operate with state impunity.

True

In our discission of Mexican American involvement in American politics, we learned about La Raza Unida Party. This party was created in 1970 and challenged the established Democratic and Republican parties in Texas and California. It was started to combat growing inequality and dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party that was typically supported by Mexican-American voters.

True

In our discussion of discrimination against Mexican Americans, we learned about the "Longoria Affair". This case involved a soldier who was killed in action in Germany during WW 11. His body was brought home but the funeral home in Three Rivers, Texas refused burial services because he was a Mexican American.

True

In our discussion of the complexity of race, we learned that race has been used to long to enslave and exploit people. The US may indeed become a majority minority country around 2045. We may become a rainbow nation of varying racial identities, skin tones and interracial unions. But if we don't dismantle the racial hierarchy that gives status and power to Whiteness, this new version of America won't really be new. It'll be just another updated version of White supremacy - with a tan.

True

In our discussion on how to break the cycle of poverty, Professor Villarreal emphasized that the rich nations (G7) must contribute financial support. This can include improving access to quality education, creating job opportunities and skills training programs, ensuring access to essential services, and fostering supportive social networks. Additionally, policies that promote economic growth, reduce income inequality, and empower individuals and communities can contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty.

True

In our study of the cycle of poverty, we learned that in 2023, over 648 million people are living in extreme poverty. Since 2020, that number has increased by more than half a million people. For those affected, circumstances fuel a cycle of poverty that they're unlikely to break on their own. Many have inherited this cycle from their parents. Many will pass it on to their own children. https://www.concern.org.uk/news/vicious-cycle-poverty-explained

True

In professor Villarreal's discussion of Mexican American organizations, he mentioned LULAC, the American G.I. Forum and the Brown Berets. The organization most noted to fight against police brutality against Mexican Americans was and is the Brown Beret Organization.

True

In the You tube video entitled the Sociology of Poverty: Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives we learned that the most prominent criticism of the functional theory is that it does not take into consideration how other social stratifying factors; such as race, gender, access to education, generational wealth can play a role in the occupation and ultimately the class one falls into.

True

In the case of Felix Longoria, Longoria's widow and her sister discussed the refusal with Dr. Hector Garcia, the founder of the American G. I. Forum. Dr. Garcia sent many telegrams and letters to Texas congressmen. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson responded immediately with support and an offer to arrange the burial at Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral took place on February 16, 1949, at the Arlington National Cemetery; with the Longoria family were Senator Johnson and a personal representative of the president of the United States.

True

La Matanza ("The Massacre" or "The Slaughter") and the Hora de Sangre ("Hour of Blood")[1] was a period of anti-Mexican violence in Texas, including lynchings and massacres, between 1910 and 1920 in the midst of tensions between the United States and Mexico during the Mexican Revolution.

True

Los Angeles County has the nation's largest Hispanic population, a distinction it has held since the census first included a Hispanic category in 1980. Los Angeles County has more than 4.8 million Hispanics - more than any state except California, Texas and Florida - and they account for almost half of the county's population.

True

Master Sergeant Raul Perez "Roy" Benavidez was a United States Army master sergeant who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valorous actions in combat near Lộc Ninh, South Vietnam on May 2, 1968, while serving as a member of the United States Army Special Forces during the Vietnam War. Green Beret Roy Benavidez earned the Medal of Honor when he ran into enemy fire armed with only a knife to save his fellow soldiers, sustaining such severe injuries that medics placed him into a body bag. Sergeant Benavidez's hometown was Cuero, Texas.

True

One-Drop Rule Works Only One Way. Even the smallest amount of African-American ancestry makes you a Non-White person. However, having a small amount of White ancestry does not make you a White person! That is another silly thing you should have in mind before asking, "what is my race?" Note: The One-Drop Rule is only applicable in the United States of America.

True

Professor Villarreal emphasized that the foundational strategy for organizing the (RUP) was 'grassroot organizing" which can be defined as follows: a grassroots movement mobilizes people affected by an issue as the basis for a political, social, or economic movement. These movements leverage collective action from the people at the ground level to influence decision-makers and drive favorable policy changes. Professor Villarreal emphasized that the (RUP) was able to win local elections by having a strong team of activists that would go "door to door" to convince voters to vote for a change and the RUP.

True

Race does not exist. Our DNA does not include any chromosomes to explain or determine our race. The whole idea of racial categories is socially constructed to distribute power and privilege.

True

Racial profiling is patently illegal, violating the U.S. Constitution's core promises of equal protection under the law to all and freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. It alienates communities from law enforcement, hinders community policing efforts, and causes law enforcement to lose credibility and trust among the people they are sworn to protect and serve.

True

Ramsay Muñiz won his bid for governor in the 1972 elections. He obtained 6.28 percent of the vote, Dolph Briscoe - the Democratic candidate - received 47.8 percent of the vote, and Republican Henry Grover received 45.08 percent.]An estimated 18 percent of Mexican Americans who voted in the 1972 election voted for Ramsay Muñiz.

True

Reflecting on the Raza Unida Party, we learned that La Raza Unida Party decided to be more ambitious for the 1972 gubernatorial elections. As a result, the candidate endorsed by La Raza Unida was an ex-Baylor football-player-turned-lawyer named Ramsey Muñiz.

True

Reis Lopez Tejerina was a radical spokesperson for the Land Rights/ La Alianza -Northern New México. He argued that the Hispanic citizens of New Mexico had copies of land grants that were issued by the Spanish Crown, and therefore, they were the true owners of the land in New Mexico.

True

Sergeant Gonzalez grew up in Edinburg, Texas where he played high school football. In his honor, the U.S. Navy named a destroyer after Sergeant Gonzalez known as the USS Gonzalez. He is buried at Hillcrest Memorial Park in his hometown of Edinburg, Texas.

True

The "Browning of America," refers to the rapid growth in numbers of Hispanics, Asians and multiracial Americans, along with the more moderate growth of blacks and other non-white groups.

True

The "great replacement theory" holds that an effort is underway to intentionally replace native born Americans. It's been perpetuated recently by right-wing media. In our class discussion on this topic, we learned that the central purpose of this theory and is to maintain the status quo in power.

True

The U.S. Hispanic population reached 62.1 million in 2020, an increase of 23% over the previous decade that outpaced the nation's 7% overall population growth.

True

The central reasons for the emergence of the Chicano movement was that the Chicano and Latino community had lived in poverty for centuries. These people were colonized and given legal rights as whites, but those rights were never exercised. They were a segregated minority in the American west. We had schools that segregated ethnic Mexicans. This people had been systematically oppressed, institutionally oppressed, and experienced racism. It was time for change through protests.

True

The latest news of Operation Lone Star dated 10/24.23 is as follows: Coils of razor wire were recently installed along the Rio Grande near Sunland Park, New Mexico, which neighbors El Paso. Abbott said migrants were bypassing miles of wire and fencing along the Texas side of the Rio Grande by moving west. Conservative Republicans in Texas and New Mexico joined forces this week to denounce the concertina wire installed along the Texas-New Mexico border as part of Gov. Greg Abbott's ongoing Operation Lone Star to limit crossings.

True

The term infant mortality refers to the risk of death

during the first year of life

Which term refers to the trend by which women represent an increasing share of the U.S. poor?

feminization of poverty

Which of the following best characterizes the experience of Mexican Americans?

internal colonialism

In explaining the problem of homelessness, conservatives often blame the victim and point to

personal problems, such as alcohol abuse and mental illness, among the homeless

For many years, large numbers of Mexican American children were placed in learning disabled classes primarily because

testing procedures were culturally biased in favor of the Anglo core culture.

On May 1, 2006, International Workers Day, many millions of workers and activists in some 200 cities boycotted routine work, school, and shopping activities as a part of

​a.​a national protest against the treatment of immigrants.

Stereotypes of Mexican Americans have often portrayed them as

d. lazy and backward

In our brief discussion of Mexican American history, we learned that the Mexican-American war of (1846-1848) ended with the U.S. winning the war due to having a more powerful military. What was the name of the treaty that ended the war and what was the result.

In 1848 the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848. Mexico cedes nearly half of its original territory to the U.S.

Which collective term recognizes the shared origins of Americans of Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban origin and best emphasizes their cultural pluralism and cultural maintenance?

Latinos

A radical left solution to the problem of poverty would be

Replacing our nation's capitalist economic system.*

What term argues that cultural patterns make poverty a way of life. In other words, the poor adapt to poverty and appear to be comfortable in this poverty environment.

The culture of poverty

In our discission of forced migration, we learned that forced migration is the involuntary movement of people who fear harm or death. Select which factors contribute to forced migration.

a. Conflict-driven causes arise from human conflicts that can escalate to violence, war, or persecution based on religion or ethnicity. b. ​Disaster-driven causes arise from natural events such as droughts, famines, or natural disasters. c.​ Different types of people who experience forced migration include refugees, internally displaced persons, and asylum seekers. d.​All of the above factors contribute to forced migrations. D

The key elements that contribute to the cycle of poverty are:

a. Limited access to education, low educational achievement b. Lack of employment opportunities/low paying job c. limits access to essential resources such as healthcare, nutritious food, clean water, and adequate housing. d. Low-income countries often experience significant income and wealth disparities, with a small portion of the population controlling a large share of resources. e. All of the above contribute to the cycle of poverty. E

What were some of the main contributions of Mexican people to the U.S.

a. Ranching: While classic Westerns have cemented the image of cowboys as white Americans, the first vaqueros were Indigenous Mexican men. b. Contribution to mining. The Americans who came to California in 1848 to mine did not know nothing about mining, but they had many skills. SO of course they got their ideas from the Mexican. c. Contribution to sheep raising. The sheep fed and provided clothing for the people. d. Contribution to Farming. A main contribution to America's farming was the amazing irrigation system that they had. e. All of the above. E

Critiques of Operation Lone Star include the following:

a. The operation is costing taxpayers 2.5 million per week b. Some residents in the RGV argue that the presence of National Guard troops in the valley equals a new version of the militarization of the U.S. Mexico border, thus, oppressing the Mexican American population. c. Texas Democrats have criticized Abbott and HB 9, saying they're throwing money at short-term, law-enforcement-based solutions rather than taking a more comprehensive and humanitarian approach to border security. State Rep. Rafael Anchía, D-Dallas, criticized the initiative for lacking clear metrics to measure success. d. All of the above. D

If you take a liberal point of view, poverty is mostly a problem that

a. involves society as a whole.

What is operation Lone Star?

a. ​Operation Lone Star is a border security initiative launched by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in March 2021 in response to rising border crossings, which he blames on President Joe Biden's immigration policies.

In our discussion of the Chicano Movement, Professor Villarreal pointed out that there were basically 5 fronts struggling against discrimination, racism, land rights and police brutality. Which of the following groups represented the 5 fronts of the Chicano movement?

b. Reies Lopez Tejerina and the struggle to restore land grants in New Mexico, Ceasar Chavez and Dolores Huerta led the farmworkers Union, Ramsey Muniz and the Raza Unida Party, Corky Gonzalez and the student movement in Denver Colorado, and the Brown Berets fighting police brutality in Texas and California.

If you take a radical-left point of view, you see the main cause of poverty as

b. a consequence of the capitalist society and the normal operation of a capitalist economy.

In approaching the problem of homelessness, liberals point to

b. economic issues such as low-wage jobs and high rates of unemployment.

According to which of the following political positions does the solution to poverty lie in government reforms, such as increasing the minimum wage and raising tax rates on the wealthy?

b. liberal

Radicals on the left agree with liberals that poverty is a.

c. a societal issue.

If you were to take a conservative solution to the problem of poverty in the United States, you would focus on

c. personal responsibility.

Professor Villarreal lectured on "blaming the victim" thesis which states that many people believe the cause of poverty is found in

c. the poor themselves.

The heaviest Mexican immigration to the U.S. occurred

c.​between 1910 and 1930, 19421954, and since 1965.

A person who claims that government welfare assistance creates dependency is probably

conservative