RACE & ETHNICITY AND

RACISM, PREJUDICE & DISCRIMINATION

Sociology 101: Introductory SociologyProfessor K.R. GreeneNovember 3, 2008

DEFINING RACE AND ETHNICITY

Race is a socially defined category, based on real or perceived biological differences between groups of people.

Ethnicity is a socially defined category based on common language, religion, nationality, history, or another cultural factor.

Race and ethnicity are social constructions because the categories are not rooted in biological differences, they change over time, and they never have firm boundaries.

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HOW RACE MATTERS

Affects Life Chances Health Education Work and Income Criminal Justice Family

Yen Le Espiritu “The Racial Construction of Asian American Women and Men.” Men—sexually undesirable/weak and threatening Women—exotic sexual other Impact—interracial marriages more likely to involve

Asian females and White males than other Asian/non Asian combinations 3

IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RACE AND ETHNICITY Racial identities are always expected to be

on display.

Ethnicity can be displayed or hidden, depending on individual preferences Symbolic Ethnicity Situational Ethnicity Optional Ethnicity (Lieberson and Waters)

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DEFINING ETHNICITY Symbolic ethnicity is an ethnic identity

that is only relevant on specific occasions and does not significantly impact everyday life.

Situational ethnicity/Optional ethnicity is ethnic identity that can be either displayed or concealed depending on its usefulness in a given situation.

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WHAT IS A MINORITY?

A minority group is made up of members of a social group that is systematically denied the same access to power and resources available to the dominant groups of a society, but who are not necessarily fewer in number than the dominant group.

Impact of minority status—Unequal and unfair treatment typically generates a strong sense of common identity and solidarity among members of minority groups.

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