ETHN 11 Exam 1_SP25 (1)

Page 1: Introduction to the Exam

• NAME: ______________________________________

• COURSE: ETHN 11: Introduction to Ethnic Studies Midterm Exam (Spring 2025)

• Instructions: Answer the questions related to the cited readings in complete sentences or bullet points. Each of the five questions has two parts and is worth 20 points total.

QUESTION 1

1A. Define “racialization.”

• Racialization is the process through which racial identities are constructed and ascribed to social groups based on perceived characteristics.

• According to Michael Omi & Howard Winant, race is best understood as a social construct because it reflects social and historical contexts rather than purely biological differences.

1B. Example from the U.S. Census

• The U.S. Census has changed its categories of race over time, illustrating racialization. For instance, the introduction of the option to select multiple racial identities reflects the evolving understanding of race, highlighting its socially constructed nature.

Page 2: Intersectionality and Stereotypes

QUESTION 2

2A. Define “intersectionality.”

• Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how different aspects of a person's identity (such as race, gender, class, and sexuality) intersect to create unique modes of discrimination and privilege.

2B. Popular Culture Stereotypes

• Asian American men are often portrayed as emasculated or socially awkward, whereas Asian American women are frequently sexualized. This differential stereotype contributes to broader societal biases against these groups.

QUESTION 3

3A. Define “settler colonialism.”

• Settler colonialism refers to a form of colonialism where the colonizers come to stay, establishing permanent settlements and asserting dominance over Indigenous populations.

3B. Mission Mythology from Deborah A. Miranda

• The “Mission Mythology” refers to the belief that the mission system was beneficial for California Indians, obscuring its exploitative nature. It has led to the marginalization and erasure of California Indian communities and histories.

Page 3: Ideals and Caste Systems

QUESTION 4

4A. Foundational Ideal of the United States

• Ideal: Liberty

• Example from Hannah Nikole-Jones: The history of slavery and systemic racism challenges the ideal of liberty, demonstrating how Black and African Americans have been historically denied freedom and equal rights.

4B. Define “racial caste system.”

• A racial caste system is a social hierarchy that categorizes individuals based on race, limiting their access to rights and resources.

• According to Michelle Alexander, mass incarceration functions as a racial caste system by disproportionately targeting and imprisoning people of color, particularly Black individuals, reinforcing social inequalities.

Page 4: Immigration Policies and Narratives

QUESTION 5

5A. 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act

• The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act abolished a quota system based on national origins, leading to a significant increase in immigration from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

5B. Latino Threat Narrative

• The “Latino Threat Narrative,” as described by Leo Chavez, frames Latino communities as a problem or threat to American society.

• This narrative is damaging as it fuels discrimination, criminalization, and social exclusion of Latino/a/x communities, impacting their social and political standing.