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Geographies of IdentityGeographies of Identity

An Introduction to Human Geography

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+Objectives for the Chapter

Describe the difference between race and ethnicity.

Identify and explain the settlement patterns of different ethnic and racial groups in the United States and explanations for these patterns.

Discuss the concept of institutional discrimination and how it has impacted the spatial arrangement of ethnic groups.

Identify patterns behind ethnic conflicts.

Discuss the difference between gender and sexuality and how norms influence activities in public space.

Evaluate the gender gap and implications this has on peoples’ lives.

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+Ethnicity and Race

Ethnicity - personal and behavioral basis of identity that gives membership to a group. Ethnic groups – share identity based on history, language,

ancestry and know they belong to a certain group. Ascription – the assignment of certain characteristics to a

person Othering

Race – categorizations of people based on the genetic traits of a person (both visible and invisible) Contributed to racism, an ideology

Both are social constructions.

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+Great Chain of Being Originated during the European

Enlightenment

Three aspects The Great Chain of Being was a God-

given, natural construction—society didn’t make it up.

Promoted idea that differences were a way to organized genetic and inherent inferiority in other peoples.

Whiteness was the standard.

Used to justify colonization and slavery Slavery still occurs—human

traffickingFigure 6.3 C from the text – Estimated # of Forced Laborers by Region

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+Institutional Discrimination When the policies, practices, or

laws of an organization or government disadvantage certain groups of people. (pg. 166) Examples: Chinatown in

Vancouver, Canada (1880s-1920s)

Apartheid: segregation sponsored by the South African government and created by the Afrikaners Nationalist Party.

Various policies and practices associated with segregation or discrimination of African Americans in the US

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+African American Discrimination and Geography

Regionally Clustered in US Southeast as a result of forced migration from Africa Migration for better jobs and lives to cities in the North beginning in the

early 1900s.

At the local level Migration from inner city ghettos to other urban neighborhoods in 2nd half

of 20th century. Ghettos came about because Whites wanted to avoid integration in

schools, so moved away. Called “White Flight.” Detroit is a clear ex. “Blockbusting”: real estate agents convinced white home owners to

sell prices at cheap prices-preying on fear of whites. Then, turned around and sold homes to African Americans at higher prices

Redlining – Denying financial/real estate services to people in specific neighborhoods because of race/poverty.

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+Ethnicity, Race, and the Census

The Census Bureau collects data on two ethnicities: Hispanic and Not Hispanic or Latino

Six races: African American/Black, White, Asian, American Indian or Native American, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander and “Some Other Race.” Based on Directive 15 about

uniform racial/ethnic data collection from 1977

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+Ethnicity, Race, and the Census

Creates a certain institutionalized discourse ( insight on social attitudes, beliefs, and ways of understanding the world)

Reinforces certain ideas That race can be objectively defined and is real The use of ethnicity and race are both still based on skin

color and ancestry

Redefining Race and Ethnicity in the United States

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+Clustering of Ethnicities in the U.S.

Occurs regionally and within cities.

Let’s look at Census Bureau data. What is the distribution of different racial and ethnic groups

in the US?

What are examples of some ethnic clusters in our cities? For more of a local look, at the city scale, let’s look at a NY

Times feature based on the American Community Survey.

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+Regional Concentrations of Ethnicities

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+Regional Concentrations of Ethnicities

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+Ethnicity in the Landscape

Three models for understanding ethnic interaction and globalization Assimilation – the cultural characteristics that make a

person/group unique will gradually fade. Pluralism – cultural characteristics will be reinforced

and preserved. Heterolocalism – people will maintain cultural

identities despite dispersal.

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+Ethnic Settlements

Three common types of ethnic settlements or ethnic enclaves

Ethnic islands

Ethnic neighborhoods

Ethnoburbs – not dominated by a specific group

Ethnic Islands – Hopi and Navajo Reservations

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+ Sexuality and Gender: Other Aspects of Identity

Sexuality – aspects of personal identity based on sexual orientation, attitudes, desires, and practices.

Gender – the characteristics society assigns to males and females Sex is based on chromosomes---more possibilities than

female (XX) and male (XY)

Gender roles – the expectations, or discourse, associated with being female and male Transgendered – individuals who do not identify with

their born sex. Heterosexual norm – binary vision of the sexes

Can influence what is “okay” in public space

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+Changing Landscape on Same-Sex Marriage

CNN Interactive

1996 Defense of Marriage Act declared unconstitutional in 2013

Also supported ruling of a lower court ruling that struck down Proposition 8 in CA

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+Questions

What qualities is a woman supposed to have? A man? How do we learn these qualities? What kinds of roles do we have?

Think back to a time when you were aware of your gender identity. Describe what happened.

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+Half the Sky

Gender Gap – A disparity between men and women in their opportunities, rights, benefits, behavior, or attitudes.

http://www.ted.com/talks/sheryl_wudunn_our_century_s_greatest_injustice.html

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+Review Describe the difference between race and ethnicity, and why they are socially

constructed.

How did racism develop as and ideology? Be able to describe the Great Chain of Being and how it was used.

What is institutional discrimination? Be able to describe examples from the reading and class.

Describe the use of race/ethnicity in the Census, and potential concerns.

Identify/define the three types of ethnic interaction and ethnic settlements.

What factors were involved in Sudan’s ethnic conflict?

Why can we say gender is socially constructed? How can gender roles and heterosexual norms influence public space?

Other terms: Apartheid, ascription, ethnic cleansing, ethnic group, ethnoscape, gender gap, and othering.