JOURNAL
Write down 1 positive and 1 negative stereotype about each of the following groups:– Whites -Native Americans– African Americans -Irish Americans– Latinos -Asian Americans– Arab Americans– Jewish Americans
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER IN GROUP DISCUSSIONS ON JOURNAL
What was easier to do, positive or negative? Which groups didn’t you have a stereotype
for? Why? Where do the stereotypes we have for
certain groups come from? How do those stereotypes impact the way
those groups are treated?
Minority, Race and Ethnicity
Ch. 9, Sec. 1
pp. 274-279
What is a Minority?
Physical or cultural differences separate them from the majority
Minority is dominated by the majority
Minority traits are often believed to be inferior by the majority
What is a Minority?
Members of minorities have strong sense of common identity, with strong group loyalty– Discuss in your small group why would minorities
have strong bonds to each other?
Majority ascribes status to those who are in the minority
Race
Members share biologically inherited traits– Skin color, hair, facial features, height
No such thing as a pure racePhysical attributions are arbitrary
– What does it mean that characteristics are arbitrary?
Social attitudes towards race are more important
Advantages of Race
No evidence of innate differences in athleticism or intelligence
– Do you agree with this statement? Give evidence for or against in your small group
Some characteristics are adaptations for native environments– Discuss in your small group, are there any racial
features you can think of as being adaptations for one’s environment?
Ethnicity
Ethnic Minority is a group identified with cultural, religious, or national characteristics
Majority feels superior because their cultural practices are viewed as “weird”– Discuss in your small group what an example of ethnic
minorities would be and why do we focus less on ethnicity and more on race in the United States?
Racial and Ethnic Relations
Ch. 9, Sec. 2
pp. 280-283
Patterns of Assimilation
Acceptance of a group leads to assimilation, where minorities blend in
Rejection of a group leads to conflict
Assimilation
Anglo conformity-immigrants must conform to traditional American institutions
Melting pot-all minorities blend together– Is the United States a Melting pot or Tossed salad?– Discuss what the difference between the two is.
Assimilation
Tossed salad analogy fits beliefs of cultural pluralism where a minority can maintain its sense of identity
Accommodation occurs when a minority is able to deal with the majority only when it must but keeps its culture and language
Patterns of Conflict
Conflict patterns are determined by examining history
Patterns of Conflict
Genocide is most extreme pattern– A systematic effort to destroy an entire
population (aka ethnic cleansing)Population Transfer
– Native Americans to Oklahoma
Subjugation– De Jure Segregation-law based
(apartheid)– De Facto Segregation-practice based– STOP AFTER THIS SLIDE
Theories of Prejudice and Discrimination
Ch. 9, Sec. 3
pp. 284-288
Write down one prejudice that you have. Where did it come from?
Stereotypes
Distorted or oversimplified ideas applied to an entire group
Sometimes they are created to justify discrimination toward a group
Stereotype Video
Prejudice
Widely held negative attitude directed at a particular group– Overgeneralization – Based on biased or insufficient
info or stereotypes
Racism
Belief discrimination is justified because one race is superior to another
Not genetic, transmitted by culture
Discrimination
Treating people differently because of a prejudice held against a group– Ranges from avoiding social
contact to violence
Hate Crimes
Criminal acts motivated by extreme prejudice or racism
Institutionalized Discrimination
Unfair practices that grow out of common behaviors– Seniority systems, school
districtsCosts to minorities are very high
Theoretical Perspectives
Functionalist- prejudice can create a feeling of superiority for the majority but costs society as a whole
Conflict-prejudice and discrimination are weapons of power to control the minority
Symbolic Interactionism
People learn to be prejudiceLanguage (blacklist, blackball)Self-fulfilling prophecy-expectation
that leads to behavior that makes the expectation reality
Minorities in the U.S.
Ch. 8, Sec. 4
pp. 290-301
African Americans
Large minority-13%Barriers include very different
physical appearance and a history of being discriminated against
When hidden unemployment is considered-25% unemployment
African American
Fewer high school and college graduates compared to whites
Number of professionals has increased 128%
Though underrepresented, African Americans have entered the “power elite”
Latinos
Ethnic minorities from Latin Am.Largest Minority 13%
– ImmigrationDiverse group57% HS graduation rate
Latinos
¼ of population is below povertyMake more than African-
Americans but far less than whitesMost work in low, semiskilled jobsMany migrant workersGaining political power as
population increases
Native Americans
2 million people in 500 tribesStereotypes have destroyed ethnic
identity25% below poverty line
Native Americans
20% in white collar jobsLittle to no representation in Gov’tLife on reservations is significantly
worse then offCasinos have been a new source
of income
Asian Americans
4% of populationDiverse backgroundHistory of discrimination during
1800’s and the 1940’sCultural emphasis on education
has led to 49% college attendance and greater acceptance in society
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