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