Week 2: Theories of Race and Ethnicity

the ethnic phenomenon

• bonding with members of the same group promotes evolutionary survival

• inclusive fitness

• nepotism as the basic mechanism of ethnic solidarity

  • in group bias

inclusive fitness

maximize chances of survival via intermarriage

Polish peasant in Europe and America

• Thomas and Znaniecki

  • study of experiences associated with leaving rural polish communities for advanced and complex capitalist societies in the US

  • transition and adaptation

  • social reorginization of the family unit

  • pressure of “americanization” and abandonment of ethnic culture and identity

  • Thomas advocated for cultural pluralism

social reorganization

• unit of production and consumption, source of solidarity crumbles in environment of intense competition and individualism

• internal and external competition

the race relations cycle

• robert park

• examines the processes through which racial groups come into contact and interact

• several stages and routes but all lead to the same outcome > assimilation

• the new culture that emerges from fusion is beneficial for all

  • promotes social harmony and equality

assimilation

• competition - accommodation - fusion/assimilation

• competition - conflict - accommodation - fusion/assimilation

seven stages of assimliation

• milton gordon

1. cultural and behavioural

2. structural

3. marital

4. identificational

5. attitude receptional

6. behavioural receptional

7. civic

contact hypothesis

• gordon allport

• contact between groups insufficient to reduce prejudice

• certain conditions necessaryary

  • equal group status

  • active, goal-orientated effort from groups

  • attainment of common goals

  • institutional support

segmented assimilation

• alejandro portes

• assimilation experiences vary by group, economic resources, and context

  1. assimilation into dominant culture

  2. integration into ethnic enclaves

  3. integration into underclass of society

Waters

• study of Caribbean immigrants

• resisting americanization and strong attachments to ethnic identity associated with success

Alba and Nee

vast majority of immigration and their children employed in the non-ethnic economy… suggests assimilation into the mainstream

Louie

• “becoming American” associated with less socioeconomic success

• strong ethnic identity promotes mobility and ability to combat discrimination and racism

Boyd

• outcomes for ethnic groups vary in canada

• visible minority youth from low SES, lone-parent families more likely to be integrated in ethnic economic enclave

kalbach and kalbach

• ethnic connectedness impedes educational and economic mobility

• immigrants < 13 years of age see better ed and ex status attainment

culture and socioeconomic success

• many theoretical perspectives emerged alongside theories of assimilation attempting to explain how culture shaped socioeconomic success and achievement

• key arguments and assumptions:

  • ethnic and racial groups share common culture

  • ethnic and racial groups respond to external conditions in culturally informed ways

  • culture is key to understanding behavioural differences and outcomes

the culture of poverty thesis (oscar lewis)

• living in poverty becomes a culture

• affects socialization and nurturing across generations

• adaptive capacity which is shaped by cultural values determines ability to respond to external conditions

• waggly and harris (1959): adaptive capacity of french canadians, jews, indigenous, and blacks helps to explain high/low SES

the vertical mosaic (john porter)

• ethnic affiliation determines class membership and prevents mobility (eg, blocked mobility thesis)

• mobility depends on assimilation into canadian society

• behavioural assimilation: acquiring dominant group’s cultural traits

• structural assimilation: integration into economic, social and political life

split labour market theory (1979)

• complex labour market dynamics shape relationships between employers, higher paid, and lower paid labour

• ethnic and racial conflicts rooted in differences in the price of labour

• kit wage workers perceived as a threat by higher priced workers

• assumption that employers will prefer lower priced labour

• higher priced workers reduce competition via racial hostility and exclusionary movements

  • limit opportunities for cheaper, non-white labour

  • impose restrictions and conditions

critical race theory

• developed in the 1970s by anti-racist lawyers challenging legal system and the impact on black defendants and inmats

• emphasis on racial inequalities and distribution of resources

• critiques liberal discourses of objectivity, colour blindness and meritocracy

• coded and non-racialize language maintains racial inequalities

• personal stories and experiences are relevant and factual

• racial justice as the outcome