Unit 3 - Ethnicity

Race

refers to the categorisation of a group of people based on physical characteristics such as skin colour, eye shape, hair type and bone structure

Ethnicity

refers to a shared cultural heritage and way of life

Religion (faith)

is a subset of ethnicity

Why race is bad - South Sudanese

This outdated approach would focus on the darker skin tone and height of South Sudanese Australians

Ethnicity Evidence -

In South Sudanese Australian culture many have a shared refugee story, they speak many languages such as English, Arabic and some Dinka. They eat uniquely spiced foods and practice Christianity by attending church

Ethnicity over Race

Sociologists prefer the term ethnicity over race because the category of race is outdated, racist and limited in terms of information learnt about the cultural group being studied, which may lead to prejudice

Othering

is a phenomenon in which some individuals or groups are defined and labelled as not fitting in within the norms of a social group; it plays a role in the formation of prejudices against people and groups

Othering Stages

Identification of difference

• Visible difference in physical characteristics and cultural practices

“You don’t belong here, go back to your country” (ABC,2017)

Stereotyping

• Generalisations such as about migrants and refugees rather than learning about personal experience, negative views formed

• “African youth gangs are out of control” (Minister from cultural affairs, reinforcing stereotypes) (Wood, 2018)

Labelling

• The media and some politicians attach negative labels, a distinction is formed

Marginalisation

• social exclusion and discrimination occur, impacts on schooling, employment, access to healthcare and interactions with police

Othering Evidence - South Sudanese

Paul Aleer a basketball player and university student

• “You don’t belong here, go back to your country” (ABC,2017)

• “This isn’t your country go back” (ABC,2017)

• “sad” (deeply distressing experience) (SBS,2018)

Experience of ethnicity

refers to how people feel and interact within a group/s that they are a member, including their sense of belonging and inclusion

Cultural hybridity

a theory, informed by Stuart Hall, that describes the sense of ethnic diversity seen in dual or multiple ethnic identities

Cultural hybridity and the experience of ethnicity - Benefits

• Individuals may experience a sense of pride and feelings of belonging

• Individuals often can choose which features of their ethnicities to keep and celebrate

Cultural hybridity and the experience of ethnicity - Challenges

• People may feel ‘split’ between cultures

• They may feel that they don’t fully belong to a specific culture

• People may experience discrimination based on their customs and traditions

Cultural hybridity and the experience of ethnicity - South Sudanese Australians

Sisilia Barac (Where Are You Really From: Toowoomba, 2018)

• “tr[ies] and takes the best out of both” (both food cultures the “uniquely spiced curry dish” and “Australian BBQ”)

• “Connection point” between “AFL Football” for kids

Ethnic Diversity

refers to the existence of multiple cultural groups in a specific geographic area

Comparative Methodology

refers to analysis involving the similarities and differences between cultures and across countries

Cultural diversity (CIA World Factbook 2025)

Australia - 6.4% net migration per 1000 people

Canada (Multicultural) - 5.4% net migration per 1000 people

Japan (Monoculture) - 0.7% net migration per 1000 people

Multiculturalism

refers to the practice of several different cultures coexisting peacefully and equitably in a single country

Historical Context

involves describing what Australia was like before the introduction of the multiculturalism policy

Contemporary Concept

refers to the practice of several different cultures co-existing peacefully and equitably in the single country, as well as the name given to a government policy which manages and maximises the benefits of cultural diversity

Historical Context Evidence

• White Australia Policy (1901) – limit non-British migration, want to maintain white population

• Assimilation Policy (late 1940s) aimed to make migrants conform with dominant white culture

• 1973 Minister for Immigration (Al Grassby) issued a reference paper called A Multi-Cultural Society for the Future

• 1975, the Whitlam PM referred to Australia as a “Multicultural nation”

Contemporary Concept - Purpose

• Emphasises the rights and benefits of living in a culturally diverse society

• Several different cultures co-existing peacefully and equitably

Preventers

refer to factors that limit, obstruct or make it difficult for an individual or group to feel safe and included in multicultural society

Enablers

refer to factors that encourage, promote or make it possible for an individual or group to feel safe and included in multicultural society

Belonging

refers to the emotional experience of feeling secure and supported within a group. It includes the feelings of acceptance and inclusion amongst members of a particular society

Inclusion

refers to individuals and groups having the resources , opportunities and capabilities to learn, work, engage and have a voice in society

Cultural Practices

refer to the customs and traditions that are unique to a certain ethnic group. They could include religious practices, traditional beliefs, forms of art, dietary habits and aspects of family life

Cultural Practices - Preventers

In 2017, basketball player and university student Paul Aleer was racially vilified by two men. Told “You don’t belong here, go back to your country” “scrub” “this isn’t your country, go back you black ***” (Where are you really from? Toowoomba, 2018)

Cultural Practices -Enablers

-          Multiculturalism policy encourages migrants to continue traditions and customs

-          South Sudanese Australian Margaret Agoth stated the Church was a way for her family it is “a way for us to keep our culture alive” (Where are you really from?, 2018)

Customs

include participating in festivals, maintaining more than one language, religious practices and eating unique food

Traditions

are cultural practices that occurs regularly across time

Media

refers to the various forms of communication used to transmit information, entertainment or ideas to a large audience: print, digital or electronic

Media - Preventers

-          Media play a part in determining our views and often fuel fear of particular groups: ABC (2018), “Media outlets are racialising Melbourne's 'African gang' problem”

-          “The problem is the disproportionate amount of attention focused on the so-called African gang problem in Melbourne and the way these incidents are being discussed.”

-          “this type of bias has been shown to have negative impacts on the wellbeing and sense of belonging of African-Australians” (The Conversation, 2018)

Media - Enablers

-          Positive media and media that disproves harmful stereotypes increases acceptance and reduces racism: “statistics indicate we are actually safer than we have been in over a decade” (Diversity council Australia, 2018) in reference to “African youth crime wave”

-          Access to media through SBS is important as it allows people to be included and be informed and part of the community.

-           “regardless of geography, age, cultural background or language” (SBS)

-          “to provide important information to minority communities in their native language” (SBS)

Media Representation

refers to the form and nature of the depiction of an ethnic group

Political Factors

refer to the aspects of the structure, organisation and policies of a government or political system that can influence society and individual behaviour

Political Factors - Preventers

In 2018 Peter Dutton former opposition leader stated Victorian’s were “scared to go out at restaurants” due to “African gang violence” (Dutton,2018) encourages fear and stigma, leading to marginalisation

Political Factors - Enablers

Victorian government partnership in 2018 with Cohealth organisation, establishing a “co-design project” aimed at “Improving outcomes with South-Sudanese Australian” Through mentorships, education programs and safe discussion groups, working to empower South-Sudanese Australians

Multicultural (Micro-definition)

(a society comprised of many cultures) Australia

Ethical Methodology

refers to the process used to conduct socially responsible research outlined by The Australian Sociological Association, including people who have agreed to take part, after being provided with information about the study, whose privacy is protected

Purpose of ethical methodology

• Participants are treated with respect

• Putting methods in place to prevent harm to participants

• Ensuring participants are aware of their rights including voluntary participation and withdrawal rights

• Results are reported honestly to ensure no harm is caused to participants

Voluntary participation

refers to the willing involvement of research participants, including the awareness of their right to refuse to participate in a research project without having to give a reason or justify their decision

Informed consent

refers to the formal agreement of an individual to participate in a research project

Privacy

refers to the use of methods, such as disguising personal identities in written and oral reports of the research, to protect the identity of participants

Confidentiality of data

refers to protecting the data gathered from research participants and storing it carefully and securely

Non-material Culture

refers to the intangible parts of culture that we cannot see, including language, values, norms and symbols

Material Culture

refers to tangible aspects of culture; things that we can see and touch, including objects, places and living things that have meaning for a group