Racial and Ethnic Racial and Ethnic MinoritiesMinorities

Chapter 10Chapter 10

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Describe the genetic, legal, and social approaches to Describe the genetic, legal, and social approaches to defining race.defining race.

Explain the concept of ethnic group.Explain the concept of ethnic group. Know how the sociological concept of minority is used.Know how the sociological concept of minority is used. Understand the relationship between prejudice and Understand the relationship between prejudice and

discrimination.discrimination. Recognize the effect of institutionalized prejudice and Recognize the effect of institutionalized prejudice and

discrimination.discrimination. Discuss the history of immigration to the United States.Discuss the history of immigration to the United States. Describe the characteristics of the major racial and Describe the characteristics of the major racial and

ethnic groups in the United States.ethnic groups in the United States.

The Concept of RaceThe Concept of Race

AA category of people who arecategory of people who are

defined as similar because of adefined as similar because of a

number of physical characteristics.number of physical characteristics.

Historical Means for Defining RaceHistorical Means for Defining Race

Genetic – gene frequency and differencesGenetic – gene frequency and differences Legal – most commonly determined by Legal – most commonly determined by

lack of “whiteness” Different states had lack of “whiteness” Different states had different criteria. (Ex. Lousiana).different criteria. (Ex. Lousiana).

Social definition – membership based on Social definition – membership based on presentation of selfpresentation of self

Variables of Racial DefinitionVariables of Racial Definition

Multiracial AncestryMultiracial Ancestry Children born to parents of multiple races represent Children born to parents of multiple races represent

more than one race (8-9 million)more than one race (8-9 million) Ancestors come from more than one raceAncestors come from more than one race

Interracial MarriageInterracial Marriage Marriage between two people of differing racial groups Marriage between two people of differing racial groups

(about 15% of all marriages in 2010)(about 15% of all marriages in 2010)

The Concept of Ethnic GroupThe Concept of Ethnic Group

A group with distinct cultural tradition thatA group with distinct cultural tradition thatits own members identify with and thatits own members identify with and that

may or may not be recognized by others. may or may not be recognized by others. Have distinctive folkways and mores; Have distinctive folkways and mores;

strong feelings of association. strong feelings of association.

The Concept of MinorityThe Concept of Minority

A group of people who, because of physical A group of people who, because of physical or cultural characteristics, are singled out or cultural characteristics, are singled out

from others in society for differentialfrom others in society for differentialand unequal treatment, and whoand unequal treatment, and whotherefore regard themselves astherefore regard themselves as

objects of collective discrimination.objects of collective discrimination.

Problems in Race and Ethnic Problems in Race and Ethnic RelationsRelations

PrejudicePrejudice

An irrationally based negative—or An irrationally based negative—or occasionally positive—attitude toward occasionally positive—attitude toward

certain groups and their members.certain groups and their members.

Causes of PrejudiceCauses of Prejudice

Draws together those who hold itDraws together those who hold it

Eases conscience of exploiters in depriving Eases conscience of exploiters in depriving others based on perception of competitors as others based on perception of competitors as somehow less than human or inherently somehow less than human or inherently unworthy. unworthy.

Allows projection onto others of those parts of Allows projection onto others of those parts of ourselves that we do not like and therefore try ourselves that we do not like and therefore try to avoid facing. (lazy; unintelligent)to avoid facing. (lazy; unintelligent)

DiscriminationDiscrimination

Differential treatment, usually unequalDifferential treatment, usually unequaland injurious, accorded to individualsand injurious, accorded to individuals

who are assumed to belong to awho are assumed to belong to aparticular category or group. particular category or group.

Types of DiscriminatorsTypes of Discriminators

Unprejudiced DiscriminatorsUnprejudiced Discriminators• Those who constantly think of expediencyThose who constantly think of expediency

Unprejudiced NondiscriminatorsUnprejudiced Nondiscriminators• Neither prejudiced against the members of other racial and ethnic Neither prejudiced against the members of other racial and ethnic

groups, nor do they practice discriminationgroups, nor do they practice discrimination

Prejudiced NondiscriminatorsPrejudiced Nondiscriminators• Do not accept the ideal of equality for all but conform to it and give it lip Do not accept the ideal of equality for all but conform to it and give it lip

service when the slightest pressure is appliedservice when the slightest pressure is applied

Prejudiced DiscriminatorsPrejudiced Discriminators• Do not believe in equality; openly express and act on their feelings of Do not believe in equality; openly express and act on their feelings of

intoleranceintolerance

Institutional Prejudice and DiscriminationInstitutional Prejudice and Discrimination

Complex societal arrangements that restrictComplex societal arrangements that restrictthe life chances and choices of a specifically the life chances and choices of a specifically

defined group in comparison withdefined group in comparison withthose of the dominant group. those of the dominant group.

Patterns of RacialPatterns of Racialand Ethnic Relationsand Ethnic Relations

AssimilationAssimilation

PluralismPluralism

SubjugationSubjugation

SegregationSegregation

ExplusionExplusion

AnnihilationAnnihilation

AssimilationAssimilation

The process whereby groups with different The process whereby groups with different cultures come to have a common culturecultures come to have a common culture

Dress, language, values, attitudesDress, language, values, attitudes Forced assimilationForced assimilation

PluralismPluralism

The development and coexistence of separate The development and coexistence of separate racial and ethnic group identities within a societyracial and ethnic group identities within a society Philosophical viewpoint that attempts to produce what Philosophical viewpoint that attempts to produce what

is considered to be a desirable social situationis considered to be a desirable social situation Celebrates the differences among groups of peopleCelebrates the differences among groups of people Implies a hostility to existing inequalities Implies a hostility to existing inequalities Provides a means for minorities to resist the pull of Provides a means for minorities to resist the pull of

assimilation assimilation Assumes that the minority is a primary unit of society; Assumes that the minority is a primary unit of society;

whole depends on harmony of the parts.whole depends on harmony of the parts.

SubjugationSubjugation

The subordination of one group and the The subordination of one group and the assumption of a position of authority, assumption of a position of authority, power, and domination by the other (Ex. power, and domination by the other (Ex. Native Americans).Native Americans).

SegregationSegregation

A form of subjugationA form of subjugation The act, process, or state of being set apart The act, process, or state of being set apart Places limits and restrictions on the contact, Places limits and restrictions on the contact,

communication, and social relations among communication, and social relations among groupsgroups

Physical as well as socialPhysical as well as social Dejure/DefactoDejure/Defacto

ExpulsionExpulsion

The process of forcing a group to leave the The process of forcing a group to leave the territory in which it livesterritory in which it lives Can be accomplished through Can be accomplished through forced migrationforced migration The relocation of a group through direct actionThe relocation of a group through direct action

AnnihilationAnnihilation

The deliberate extermination of a racial or ethnic The deliberate extermination of a racial or ethnic groupgroup

Racial and Ethnic Immigration to Racial and Ethnic Immigration to the United Statesthe United States

Two perspectives of white ethnic Two perspectives of white ethnic immigrationimmigration Old migrationOld migration

• People from northern Europe who came before the People from northern Europe who came before the 1880s.1880s.

New migrationNew migration• Much larger in numbersMuch larger in numbers

• People from southern and eastern Europe who People from southern and eastern Europe who came between 1880 and 1920. came between 1880 and 1920.

Contemporary ImmigrationContemporary Immigration

Legal ImmigrationLegal Immigration Strongly connected to family tiesStrongly connected to family ties

Latino, Asian, European, other (in order of numbers)Latino, Asian, European, other (in order of numbers)

Illegal ImmigrationIllegal Immigration 2011 U.S. Census estimate 11.5 million 2011 U.S. Census estimate 11.5 million

undocumented immigrantsundocumented immigrants 59% from Mexico59% from Mexico El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and China El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and China

comprise bulk of remaindercomprise bulk of remainder

America’s Ethnic Composition TodayAmerica’s Ethnic Composition Today

Contemporary Ethnic GroupsContemporary Ethnic Groups

White Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs)White Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs) Goal: The Americanization of immigrant Goal: The Americanization of immigrant

groupsgroups 1841-American Protestant Union-to 1841-American Protestant Union-to

oppose the threat of Catholics.oppose the threat of Catholics. Americanization Movement: persuade Americanization Movement: persuade

immigrants to learn English and become immigrants to learn English and become patrioticpatriotic

African AmericansAfrican Americans

43.9 million; 13.5% of pop.43.9 million; 13.5% of pop. Median household income in 2010-Median household income in 2010-

$32,068.$32,068. Only 45% of African-American families are Only 45% of African-American families are

married-couple familiesmarried-couple families

Hispanics (Latinos)Hispanics (Latinos)

Largest minority group in the U.S.Largest minority group in the U.S. 50.5 million in 2010; 16.3% of pop.50.5 million in 2010; 16.3% of pop. About 59% born outside of U.S.About 59% born outside of U.S.

HispanicsHispanicsMexican AmericansMexican Americans

32 million in 2010; 29.5% of all U.S. 32 million in 2010; 29.5% of all U.S. immigrants living in this countryimmigrants living in this country

Lower levels of income, education; higher Lower levels of income, education; higher poverty rates and unemployment than poverty rates and unemployment than other Hispanic groupsother Hispanic groups

HispanicsHispanicsPuerto RicansPuerto Ricans

Citizens of U.S. since 1917Citizens of U.S. since 1917 4.6 million4.6 million Second lowest median family income of Second lowest median family income of

Hispanic groups (Dominicans have the Hispanic groups (Dominicans have the lowest)lowest)

HispanicsHispanicsCuban AmericansCuban Americans

1959 Revolution1959 Revolution 155,000 immigrated between 1959 and 155,000 immigrated between 1959 and

19621962 1980-from Mariel Harbor-125,000-poor, 1980-from Mariel Harbor-125,000-poor,

uneducated, prisoners, mentally illuneducated, prisoners, mentally ill 24% have bachelor’s degrees (double that 24% have bachelor’s degrees (double that

of Mexicans)of Mexicans)

Asian AmericansAsian Americans

300,000 Chinese between 1850 and 1880300,000 Chinese between 1850 and 1880 2010-3.8 million2010-3.8 million Most are middle class; highly educated; Most are middle class; highly educated;

50% 25 and older have bachelor’s degree 50% 25 and older have bachelor’s degree or higher (28% of all Americans)or higher (28% of all Americans)

16% of freshman class at Harvard and 16% of freshman class at Harvard and other universities (2010)other universities (2010)

2010-median household income $67,0002010-median household income $67,000

Native AmericansNative Americans

2010-5.2 million2010-5.2 million Median household income-$35,020 (Entire Median household income-$35,020 (Entire

nation=$54,046)nation=$54,046) 28.4% poverty in 201028.4% poverty in 2010 Teen suicides 5x national averageTeen suicides 5x national average Male life expectancy-48Male life expectancy-48 AlcoholismAlcoholism

Diverse SocietyDiverse Society

Complex and constantly changingComplex and constantly changing Evolving trendsEvolving trends Resurgent ethnic identity movementsResurgent ethnic identity movements Not a melting potNot a melting pot

Simplistic, idealistic conceptSimplistic, idealistic concept Dependent on mutual respectDependent on mutual respect