Module 33, “Race and Ethnicity in the United States”

Multiracial Society

A society consisting of multiple racial and ethnic groups.

Institutional Discrimination

Discrimination that is entrenched in the policies of social institutions.

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States.

Black Power Movement

A movement advocating for the rights and empowerment of Black Americans.

Model Minority

A racially or ethnically marginalized group whose members are perceived as more successful than others.

Reparations

Compensation given for historical injustices, particularly slavery.

Bilingual Education

Educational programs designed to teach students in two languages.

Perpetual Foreigner

A stereotype that depicts certain racial or ethnic groups as foreigners regardless of their citizenship status.

Hispanic Population

Refers to individuals from Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and other Spanish-Speaking countries.

Cultural assimilation

The process by which a minority group adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.

Ethnic enclaves

Geographical areas with a high concentration of a specific ethnic group.

Antisemitism

Prejudice against Jews.

Symbolic Ethnicity

A return to one's cultural heritage that can be expressed through symbols and celebrations.

Conflict Theory

A sociological perspective that views social relations as a source of conflict due to competition for resources.

Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

Legislation that aimed to reform U.S. immigration policy, including amnesty for unauthorized immigrants.

Refugees vs. Immigrants

Refugees are forced to leave due to persecution, while immigrants choose to move for better opportunities.

Asian Pacific Americans

A diverse group of Americans originating from countries in Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Discrimination in Employment

Unfair treatment of individuals based on their race or ethnicity in the workforce.

Cultural Heritage

The traditions, values, and customs inherited from past generations.