Soci exam 3 race and ethnicity

Race

a social construct, meaning society creates the categories.

Race Key ideas

• There is no such thing as biological race.

• People are grouped based on physical traits (like skin color), but those categories are socially created.

Ethnicity

• refers to cultural distinctiveness.

Ethnicity Includes:

• Language

• Traditions

• Religion

• Cultural practices

Racial formation

the idea that society is continually creating and transforming racial and ethnic categories.

Racial formation Key idea

• Racial categories change over time depending on social and political forces.

Racial and ethnic inequality occurs when certain racial or ethnic groups have …

less access to resources and opportunities.

Racial/Ethnic inequalities appear in:

• Education (K–12)

• Income

• Employment

• Health

Education (K–12) Racial/Ethnic inequalities

• Schools are still segregated due to residential segregation.

• Funding through property taxes creates unequal school funding.

• There has been increased college enrollment, but inequalities still exist.

Income Racial/Ethnic inequalities

• Asian and White incomes tend to be higher than people of color.

• Poverty rates are higher among non-Asian people of color.

Employment Racial/Ethnic inequalities

Non-Asian people of color are:

• Overrepresented in lower-paying jobs

• More likely to have lower power and prestige jobs

• More likely to be unemployed

Health Racial/Ethnic inequalities

• Environmental racism occurs when:

  • Certain racial/ethnic groups are more exposed to toxic environments.

  • Example: living near pollution or hazardous waste.

Conflict theory says racial and ethnic inequality happens because:

• Society has competition for scarce resources.

• Groups with power try to maintain control.

• Inequality benefits those who already have wealth and power.

Conflict Theory Key Idea

Racial inequality exists because powerful groups want to stay powerful.

Symbolic interactionism

focuses on everyday interactions and meanings.

Symbolic interactionism explains inequality through:

• Language

• Stereotypes

• Labels

• Social meanings

Symbolic interactionism in inequality examples include :

• Racial stereotypes

• Racial slurs

• Media portrayals that reinforce negative images

Symbolic Interactionism Key Idea

Daily interactions reinforce racial meanings and stereotypes.

Bias theory explains inequality through

prejudice and discrimination.

Prejudice

Negative attitudes toward a group.

Discrimination

Negative actions toward a group.

Bias can be:

Individual bias

Institutional bias

Individual bias

personal prejudice

Institutional bias

built into systems (schools, jobs, laws)

Bias Theory Key Idea

Bias leads to unequal treatment and opportunities.

How can we reduce race/ethnic-based inequality

• Improve equal access to education

• Reduce residential segregation

• Reform school funding systems

• Address employment discrimination

• Reduce environmental racism

• Promote diversity and inclusion

• Educate people about bias and stereotypes

• Support fair policies and equal opportunity laws

Key idea of reducing race/ethnic-based inequality

Reducing inequality requires changes in systems, policies, and attitudes.