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
