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7: Race and Ethnicity

  • Page ID
    2052
    • Anonymous
    • LibreTexts

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    This chapter discusses the changing nature of racial and ethnic prejudice and inequality in the United States but also documents their continuing importance for American society, as the hate crime story that began this chapter signifies. We begin our discussion of the present with a brief look back to the past.

    • 7.1: Prelude to Race and Ethnicity
      This page explores racial violence and discrimination in America through two key events: the 2009 assault of James Privott by white supremacists and John Howard Griffin's 1959 experiment living as a black man in the segregated South. Griffin's experiences highlighted racial injustices and played a role in raising awareness among white Americans, influencing the civil rights movement. The page also lays the groundwork for discussing current racial issues and their historical context.
    • 7.2: Racial and Ethnic Relations - An American Dilemma
      This page explores the history of racial and ethnic violence in the U.S., focusing on the experiences of Native Americans and African Americans from colonial times into the early 20th century. It addresses mob violence against immigrants and enduring systemic discrimination, drawing on the works of scholars like Gunnar Myrdal and W. E. B. Du Bois.
    • 7.3: The Meaning of Race and Ethnicity
      This page critiques the biological concept of race as a social construct rather than a biological reality, highlighting the arbitrary nature of racial categories and the genetic similarities among humans. It discusses the implications of racial classification on society through examples like Phipps and contrasts race with ethnicity, emphasizing shared cultural experiences.
    • 7.4: Prejudice
      This page examines prejudice, racism, and stereotypes, distinguishing between attitudes (prejudice) and behaviors (discrimination). It discusses the origins and persistence of racial prejudice through various theories and the media's role in shaping perceptions, particularly highlighting biased portrayals of minorities. The text notes a decline in overt racism since the civil rights movement, while modern racism now manifests through negative stereotypes affecting public policy.
    • 7.5: Discrimination
      This page examines the complex interplay between prejudice, discrimination, and socioeconomic disparities faced by racial and ethnic groups. It distinguishes individual and institutional discrimination, showcasing Merton's typology. The text highlights the impact of institutional discrimination on health care, lending, and residential segregation, particularly for African Americans and Latinos.
    • 7.6: Racial and Ethnic Inequality in the United States
      This page examines racial and ethnic inequality in the U.S., exploring income, education, and health disparities. It addresses flawed explanations for inequality—biological inferiority and cultural deficiencies—while emphasizing structural factors like poverty and discrimination. The text discusses the concept of white privilege and highlights the intricate experiences of diverse minority groups, particularly Asian Americans.
    • 7.7: Race and Ethnicity in the 21st Century
      This page examines the intricacies of race and ethnic relations in the U.S., noting significant progress alongside persistent challenges such as modern racism and institutional discrimination. It discusses the debate over affirmative action, differing perspectives on its impact, and the effects of immigration on societal dynamics, including misconceptions about crime rates.
    • 7.S: Race and Ethnicity (Summary)
      This page explores the persistent issue of racial and ethnic prejudice and discrimination in the U.S., tracing its origins from colonial times to the 1960s urban riots. It emphasizes that race is a social construct and discusses the cultural aspects of ethnicity. The complexities of ongoing inequalities faced by different groups are highlighted, alongside predictions of demographic shifts by 2050 that may intensify racial tensions.

    Thumbnail: Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneeling during the National Anthem before a game against the Washington Redskins in week 6. (CC BY-SA 2.0; Keith Allison).


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