Chapter 9

Racial and Ethnic Inequality

Objectives

Describe what sociologists mean by the terms: minority, race, and ethnicity

Discuss patterns of racial and ethnic relations

Discuss the difference between prejudice and discrimination

Explain 3 different views of racial inequalities (theories)

Compare the condition of American minorities with that of the white majority

Minority

Minority- group of people with physical or cultural traits different from the dominant group in society African Americans Native Americans Hispanics Other ethnic groups

Race

People sharing certain inherited characteristics that are considered important within a society African American White/Caucasian Native American

Ethnicity

Ethnic group- having a characteristic of a certain group sharing a culture, religion, language, etc.

Difference between Ethnicity and Race

2 black men- one from Georgia and one from Ethiopia

Both men have the same RACE (black) and share the same physical characteristics

Georgia is a Christian, speaks English, and celebrates the 4th of July

Ethiopia is a Muslim, speaks 1 of the 84 languages, and celebrates the Birth of Mohammed

They have different ETHNICITY

How Minorities Blend into Society

(Patterns of Assimilation) 1- Minority group must be accepted 2- Group must be allowed to fully

participate in society

Melting Pot of America

3 Forms of Assimilation 1- Anglo-conformity: minority accepts

American standards of conduct Mexican immigrant learns English and only speaks

English 2- Tossed salad (also known as cultural

pluralism): more than one culture is being acted out Mexican immigrant speaks English at school, but

Spanish at home and attends Spanish church services 3- Accommodation: perform minority culture,

yet deal with dominant society Hutterites

Patterns of Conflict

Minority is rejected Genocide: systematic effort to destroy entire

population Hitler and Jews

Population Transfer: group is forced to move to another location Cherokee and Trail of Tears

Subjugation: group is denied equal access to culture and lifestyle of dominant society Laws- Jim Crow Practice- Jobs to one race

Discrimination

ACTION of treating people differently based upon race, ethnicity, religion or culture

Prejudice

Negative ATTITUDES toward a group (race, ethnicity, religion, culture)

Theories on Race Inequality

Functionalist- See Racial Inequality as Positive Dysfunctions can be caused by

prejudice/discrimination Safety and stability of society is at risk

(protects the majority group) Majority feels superior and strengthens

their self concept

Theories Cont.

Conflict- majority uses prejudice and discrimination for power Control of property, goods, resources Minorities conflict with one another for

what little power remains Shiite and Sunni Muslims

Theories Cont.

Symbolic Interactionist: people learn prejudice from our family Language

Blackmail, blackballed, etc Self-fulfilling prophecy: minorities are

expected to act a certain way and will do so

Institutionalized Discrimination

Unfair practices that grow out of common behaviors and attitudes Inner city schools and deterioration

Blue Collar Workers

Wage earning workers that wear specialized clothing on the job Mechanics Miners Have their name on their shirt “Bob”

White Collar Workers

Office workers Wear dress shirts to work (usually

white) No manual labor

Minority Groups in the US

African Americans Largest and oldest minority group Lack of acceptance because of physical features and

place in history (slaves) Gaining in education and politics

Latinos (people from Mexico, Central and South America) Fastest growing group- will be majority Migrant workers Half finish high school Joining politics

Minorities Cont.

Native Americans Fight stereotypes Poverty Casinos and Opportunity

Asian Americans Gold Rush of 1850s Internment during WWII

Minorities Cont.

White Ethnics (European immigrants) Blue collar workers

Assignments

Pg. 304 #2 Answer the 5 objectives at the

beginning of presentation