SOC1001 Race, Ethnicity, and Racism

What is race?

Race refers to a socially constructed category that groups people based on perceived physical differences, such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture. These classifications are often mistakenly thought to reflect inherent biological differences, but they are shaped by historical and social contexts.

What is ethnicity?

Ethnicity encompasses the cultural values, practices, and norms that define a group of people and differentiate them from others. It includes aspects such as language, customs, traditions, and shared history, and is a key component of an individual's identity.

What is scientific racism?

Scientific racism is the misuse of scientific research and data to support or validate racial hierarchies, suggesting that certain racial groups are inherently superior or inferior based on biological characteristics, often disregarding the social and historical influences on human diversity.

What is apartheid?

Apartheid was a legally enforced system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s, characterized by institutionalized discrimination against the non-white population in areas such as education, employment, and civic rights.

What is colorism

Colorism refers to discrimination based on skin color, often privileging lighter skin colors over darker ones within racial or ethnic groups, influencing social hierarchies and perceptions.

What is microaggression?

Microaggression refers to subtle, often unintentional, comments or actions that express a prejudiced attitude towards a marginalized group, contributing to a hostile or invalidating environment.

What is intersectionality in the context of race?

Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how various social identities, such as race, gender, and class, intersect to create unique experiences of discrimination and privilege.

What is cultural appropriation?

Cultural appropriation involves the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often occurring without permission and potentially leading to the exploitation of a marginalized group.

What does 'racial bias' refer to?

Racial bias is the tendency to favor one race over another, often leading to unfair treatment and reinforcing stereotypes in various contexts, including law enforcement, education, and employment.

What is systemic racism?

Systemic racism encompasses policies and practices entrenched in established institutions that result in unequal treatment of individuals based on their race, perpetuating racial inequality.