17: Race and Ethnicity
- Page ID
- 332598
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 17.1: Racial and Ethnic Inequality- A Historical Prelude
- This page examines the historical violence and discrimination endured by Native Americans and African Americans in the U.S., detailing the ramifications of racial prejudice from colonial times to the 20th century. It discusses mob violence against free blacks and immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries and introduces the "American dilemma," highlighting the discord between democratic ideals and discrimination.
- 17.2: The Meaning of Race and Ethnicity
- This page explores the social construction of race and ethnicity, arguing that race is not a biological fact but a societal concept with real implications. It critiques traditional racial definitions based on physical traits, highlighting internal diversity and the arbitrary nature of these classifications. Examples like President Obama illustrate varying societal perceptions.
- 17.3: Prejudice
- This page explores prejudice, racism, and stereotypes, distinguishing prejudice as an attitude from discrimination as behavior. It covers various theories of prejudice and highlights the struggles of migrant farmworker children in California. The dynamics of ethnic competition and historical economic factors that incite hostility among groups are examined. Individual correlates of prejudice, such as education and region, are identified, along with its evolution from overt to subtle forms.
- 17.4: Discrimination
- This page addresses the complexities of prejudice and discrimination, referencing Merton's framework on individual versus institutional discrimination. It highlights how systemic practices in healthcare, mortgage lending, and employment disproportionately affect people of color, revealing unconsciously biased outcomes in these areas.
- 17.5: Dimensions of Racial and Ethnic Inequality
- This page addresses racial and ethnic inequality in the U.S., detailing disparities in income, education, and health among groups like African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans compared to whites. It highlights the mixed experiences of Asian Americans and the growing racial wealth gap. The discussion on white privilege reveals unrecognized advantages for whites and contrasts these with the challenges faced by people of color.
- 17.6: Explaining Racial and Ethnic Inequality
- This page examines explanations for racial and ethnic inequality, categorizing them into cultural and structural factors. Cultural deficiencies are challenged as they often stem from systemic issues like discrimination and poverty. Structural explanations highlight institutional barriers limiting education and job opportunities.
- 17.7: Reducing Racial and Ethnic Inequality
- This page explores affirmative action's history, its role in promoting diversity, and addressing systemic inequalities in education and the workplace. It highlights landmark Supreme Court cases and presents contrasting views on reverse discrimination while acknowledging progress in racial equality and persistent challenges. The impact of affirmative action on opportunities for people of color is emphasized, with a call for structural solutions to racial and ethnic inequality.
- 17.8: End-of-Chapter Material
- This page examines the history and current state of racial and ethnic prejudice and discrimination in the U.S., tracing its roots from colonial times through slavery to modern racism. It underscores race as a social construct and discusses the role of ethnicity in identity formation, utilizing social-psychological and sociological perspectives.