september 8 th attendance quiz #1 lecture one: the sociological perspective on race & ethnicity...
TRANSCRIPT
September 8th
Attendance Quiz #1 Lecture One: The Sociological Perspective on
Race & Ethnicity Homework:
Nothing!
Lecture One
The Sociological Perspective on Race & Ethnicity
Hasn’t Race Always Mattered? Primordial Explanations: race and ethnic identity
is essential Innate and unchangeable Rooted in basic human nature
Situational (social constructionist) Explanations: Socially constructed and based on the structure and
dynamics of societies Evolving and changing
Race
Race: categorizing people or groups based on phenotypical differences – skin color, hair, etc. Not correlated to genotypical differences
Variability of Racial Distinctions Across time and space
Religious National Linguistic
Ethnicity
Ethnicity: defines individuals who consider themselves, or are considered by others, to share common characteristics which differentiate them other groups in society—distinct cultural behavior is formed
Ethnocentrism: judge one’s culture to be superior to others
Race as Myth Categories of race and ethnicity emerge out
of social processes – they are not natural
Differences are given meaning the differences that are meaningful are social
emergents
Race is a social construct classifications of reality that are agreed upon or
accepted
Race and the US Census
In 1997 people could mark one or more racial category on US Census In 2000 Census: 97.6% said one race and 2.4%
said two or more
Self-fulfilling Prophecy: falsely defined situation, but because it is believed to be true, produces behavior that makes it true
Madrid: “Othering”
Othering: is a way of defining and securing one’s own positive identity through the stigmatization of an "Other." White = American : Non-white = Other
Diversity = the Other Difference…”as long as it stays in place”
Madrid: Missing persons in American institutional life Allowed into American institutions, but not part of the
foundation
Race as a Reality
Systems of Power: race, gender, class (and sexuality) are mechanisms through which power is exercised in society and some lives are valued more than others
Matrix of Domination: social structure is made up of multiple interlocking levels of domination Intersectionality of race, class, and gender
Oppression
The experience of oppressed people is that the living of one's life is confined and shaped by forces and barriers which are not accidental or occasional and hence avoidable…(pg.45)
Reality of Oppression
Oppression: systematic forces and barriers that negatively affect the opportunities and resources for specific social groups in society Interpersonal/Individual
Prejudice and Discrimination Internalized
Cultural/Symbolic Ideology Stereotypes “Dominant Culture”
Institutional/Systematic Operates above & beyond individuals
Conclusion:
Race is both a myth and a reality Socially constructed Structural realities
Race is based in physical characteristics and Ethnicity is based on cultural characteristics
We can’t examine race/ethnicity without examine other forms of oppression in society