ucsd anth 23 midterm 1

group rights

The collective rights held by a community or cultural group to preserve its traditions, language, and way of life.

stereotypical dualism

The idea that one group is defined as good, civilized, or superior while another is portrayed as bad, primitive, or inferior.

white public space

social spaces where white norms and behavior are treated as the default and nonwhite cultures are marginalized or policed.

racial formation

The process by which societies create, define, and give meaning to racial categories through social, political, and cultural forces.

Institutional racism

Discrimination embedded in laws, policies, and institutions that systematically disadvantage certain racial groups.

Redlining

A discriminatory practice where banks or governments deny loans or services to people based on the racial makeup of their neighborhoods.

structuration

The theory that social structures shape people’s actions, but people’s actions also reinforce or change those structures.

minority representation

The visibility and participation of marginalized groups within institutions, media, or political systems.

Cannibals and noble savages

Colonial stereotypes portraying Indigenous peoples as either barbaric and uncivilized or pure and innocent but primitive.

mock spanish

The use of humorous or exaggerated Spanish by English speakers that reinforces stereotypes about Latinx people.

discourse

Foucalt’s term to describe the ways people talk, write, and think that shape how knowledge, power, and social realities are understood.

inequality and illness

The idea that social and economic inequality affects who gets sick, how they’re treated, and who stays healthy.

Los Angeles Koreatown

A multicultural urban neighborhood that shows how immigrants build ethnic communities and navigate race, class, and identity in the U.S.

structural violence

Harm caused by social structures—like poverty, racism, or inequality—that prevent people from meeting basic needs.

skinheads

A subculture that in some forms embraces racist and nationalist beliefs, reflecting how identity and violence can be tied to class and race.

regime of truth

A system where certain ideas are accepted as “truth” because they’re supported by institutions like media, education, or government.

anomie

A sense of normlessness or disconnection that happens when social values and rules break down.

unequal access to medical care

When people from different social or racial groups don’t have the same opportunities to receive quality health services.

Inter-ethnic conflict

Tension or violence between different ethnic or cultural groups, often rooted in competition or historical inequalities.

Latinx Paradox

The finding that Latinx populations often have better health outcomes than expected given their lower average income and access to care.

anti-anti-racism/post race racism

The backlash against anti-racist efforts, where people claim racism no longer exists or that talking about race is the real problem.

one drop rule

A U.S. belief that anyone with even one Black ancestor is considered Black, used to enforce racial boundaries.

racial script

A shared set of stereotypes and ideas about race that get reused and applied to different groups over time.

segmented assimilation

the idea that immigrant groups adapt to different parts of society—some joining the middle class, others facing downward mobility.

institutional racism

Discrimination built into social systems and institutions that unfairly advantage some racial groups over others.

Mexican immigration

The movement of people from Mexico to the U.S., often shaped by labor demand, border policies, and social inequality.

hypo-descent

The practice of assigning a mixed-race person the status of the socially lower or minority group.

racial profiling

When people are targeted or treated as suspicious based on their race or ethnicity rather than their behavior.

oppositional identity

When marginalized groups reject dominant cultural values as a form of resistance to racism or exclusion.

code words

Indirect or subtle language used to talk about race or ethnicity without explicitly mentioning it.

whitewashing

When media or history erase or replace people of color with white figures, stories, or actors.

political racism

The use of racist ideas or policies to gain or maintain political power.

Black Lives Matter

A social movement protesting police brutality and systemic racism against Black people.

white genocide

A false conspiracy theory claiming that white people are being “replaced” through immigration and diversity.

Chinese Exclusion Act

An 1882 U.S. law that banned Chinese immigration, reflecting racism and fear of Asian laborers.

Arab nationalism

A movement promoting unity and independence among Arab peoples and countries.

weapons of the weak

Everyday, subtle forms of resistance used by powerless groups against those in authority (often violent and reenforce negative stereotypes)

immigration quota system

Government limits on how many people can immigrate from certain countries, often reflecting racial or ethnic bias.

alt-right

A far-right movement promoting white nationalism, racism, and anti-immigrant views.

yellowface

When non-Asian actors or people imitate Asian appearance or speech, reinforcing racist stereotypes.

model minority

A stereotype that portrays certain minority groups, especially Asian Americans, as more successful or hardworking than others.

racial disparities in health

Differences in health outcomes between racial groups caused by inequality, discrimination, and access to resources.

selective assimilation

When immigrant groups adapt to some aspects of the dominant culture while keeping parts of their own traditions.

Hmong refugees

An ethnic group from Southeast Asia who resettled in the U.S. after the Vietnam War, often facing cultural and economic challenges.

minstrel shows

19th-century performances where white actors in blackface mocked and stereotyped Black people for entertainment.

Native American mascots

Sports team symbols or names that use Indigenous imagery, often criticized for promoting stereotypes and disrespect.

Mexican vs. Punjabi Sikh immigrants

A comparison showing how different immigrant groups experience race, labor, and identity in the U.S. based on social context.

residential segregation

The separation of racial or ethnic groups into different neighborhoods due to discrimination or economic inequality.

cultural/symbolic capital

Non-material assets like education, language, or social status that give people power or advantages in society.

Kymlicka

Says that to treat everyone fairly, societies must protect the rights of cultural groups, not just individuals. He argues that recognizing minority cultures helps people fully participate and feel equal in society.

Hall 1995

Explains that the idea of “the West” was created by comparing it to “the Rest,” making Western societies seem modern and superior. He shows how this way of thinking supported colonialism and still shapes how people view different cultures today.

Hirshfeld

Argues that children don’t learn ideas about race just from adults—they actively form their own understandings of race from a young age. He shows that kids notice and think about racial differences early, which challenges the idea that they are “colorblind.”

Ansell

Argues that race today is shaped less by biology and more by culture, politics, and inequality. She shows how modern societies use ideas about culture to continue racial divisions in new, subtle ways.

Naber 2012

Explains how Arab Americans were once seen as a “model minority” but became viewed as a “problem minority” after 9/11. She shows how racism and national security fears reshaped their identity and belonging in the U.S.

Portes and Zhou

Argue that not all immigrants assimilate in the same way, introducing the idea of segmented assimilation. They explain that some groups move up into the middle class, while others face barriers that lead to downward mobility or poverty.

Min 2000

AAA Statement on Race

Says that race is not a biological reality but a social idea created to justify inequality. It emphasizes that all humans are genetically alike and that racial differences come from history, culture, and politics—not nature.

Bass 2001

Argues that policing in cities often enforces racial boundaries, controlling who belongs in certain spaces. He shows how law enforcement practices reflect and reinforce racial inequality in urban life.

Ethnic Notions

Examines racist images and stereotypes of Black people in American history. It shows how cartoons, ads, and films spread these stereotypes to justify slavery, segregation, and discrimination.