Race and Ethnicity: Key Concepts and Historical Context

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to race and ethnicity, emphasizing definitions and key concepts from the lecture notes.

Race

A physical factor by which people are believed to share a common sense based on perceived innate physical similarities.

Ethnicity

A system whereby individuals are believed to share common decisions based on perceived cultural similarities.

Social Construct

A phenomenon invented by human beings and shaped by social forces present in the time and place of its tradition.

One Drop Rule

A classification system that dictated that individuals with any African ancestry are considered black.

Racial Typology

The classification of individuals based on the features that society has socially and historically deemed significant.

Caste Systems

Hierarchical social divisions often maintained through discrimination and exploitation.

Biological Essentialism

The belief that racial categories are based solely on biological differences.

Historical Context

The social, political, and economic circumstances surrounding and influencing racial classifications.

Affirmative Action

Policies that aim to increase opportunities for historically marginalized groups.

Redlining

A discriminatory practice that denies services to residents of certain areas based on their race or ethnicity.

Systemic Racism

Policies and practices entrenched in established institutions that harm certain racial groups.