11.1 Racial, Ethnic, and Minority Groups
3 min read•june 18, 2024
and shape our social experiences and opportunities. While race is based on physical traits, ethnicity stems from shared cultural heritage. Both influence access to resources, social interactions, and group dynamics in complex ways.
Majority groups often dominate numerically and culturally, wielding institutional power. Minority groups face challenges like , stereotyping, and structural inequalities. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for grasping social stratification and inequality.
Racial and Ethnic Groups
Race vs ethnicity
Top images from around the web for Race vs ethnicity
Theoretical Perspectives of Race and Ethnicity | Introduction to Sociology View original
Is this image relevant?
Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. | Boundless Sociology View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Cross-Cultural Differences and Similarities in Human Value Instantiation View original
Is this image relevant?
Theoretical Perspectives of Race and Ethnicity | Introduction to Sociology View original
Is this image relevant?
Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. | Boundless Sociology View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Race vs ethnicity
Theoretical Perspectives of Race and Ethnicity | Introduction to Sociology View original
Is this image relevant?
Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. | Boundless Sociology View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Cross-Cultural Differences and Similarities in Human Value Instantiation View original
Is this image relevant?
Theoretical Perspectives of Race and Ethnicity | Introduction to Sociology View original
Is this image relevant?
Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. | Boundless Sociology View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Race socially constructed category based on physical characteristics (skin color, facial features)
- Often used to justify social hierarchies and inequalities (, )
- Lacks biological basis but has significant social consequences shapes life chances and experiences
- Ethnicity shared cultural heritage, language, traditions, and ancestry (, )
- Can be a source of pride, identity, and social support fosters sense of belonging
- May also be a basis for and marginalization targeted for cultural differences
- Social implications
- Racial and ethnic categories shape access to resources and opportunities (education, employment)
- and prejudices can lead to and oppression limit social mobility
- Racial and ethnic identities influence social interactions and group dynamics (, intergroup conflict)
Characteristics of majority groups
- Numerical dominance constitute the largest portion of the population (White Americans in the US)
- Often have disproportionate political and economic power control key institutions
- Cultural dominance their norms, values, and practices are seen as the societal standard ( beauty standards)
- Other groups may be pressured to or conform to majority culture adopt dominant language and customs
- Institutional power overrepresented in positions of authority and decision-making (government, corporate leadership)
- Can shape policies and practices that maintain their advantaged position (voter suppression, )
- Societal role
- Set the dominant cultural narrative and define social norms (media representation, school curricula)
- May be unaware of their privileged status and resist challenges to the status quo ()
Minority Groups and Experiences
Challenges of minority groups
- Marginalization and exclusion underrepresented in positions of power and influence (politics, academia)
- May face barriers to full participation in social, economic, and political life (, housing discrimination)
- Stereotyping and prejudice subjected to negative generalizations and assumptions based on group membership (, stereotype)
- Can lead to discrimination in employment, housing, education, and other areas (resume bias, racial profiling)
- Structural inequalities face disparities in wealth, income, education, health, and other outcomes (racial wealth gap, health disparities)
- Result of historical and ongoing patterns of disadvantage and discrimination ()
- Identity formation and negotiation must navigate between their own cultural identity and the dominant culture (, )
- May face pressure to assimilate or experience identity-based conflicts (, )
- Resistance and resilience develop strategies to cope with and challenge oppression and inequality (, ethnic studies programs)
- Build community, assert cultural pride, and advocate for social change (cultural festivals, minority-owned businesses)
Intersectionality and Complex Identities
- recognizes how multiple social identities intersect to shape unique experiences of privilege and oppression
- discrimination based on skin tone within and across racial and ethnic groups
- fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers, often leading to discrimination against immigrants and minorities
- subtle, often unintentional acts of discrimination that communicate hostile or negative messages to marginalized groups
Key Terms to Review (44)
Apartheid: Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. It involved the legal separation of people based on their race, with the white minority government exercising control and oppression over the non-white majority population. This term is crucial in understanding racial, ethnic, and minority group dynamics, the theoretical perspectives on race and ethnicity, as well as intergroup relationships.
Asian American: Asian American refers to individuals with ancestral origins in Asia who reside in the United States. This diverse group encompasses a wide range of ethnicities, cultures, and experiences, and has played a significant role in the social, economic, and political fabric of the country.
The term 'Asian American' is closely tied to the topics of racial, ethnic, and minority groups, as it highlights the unique challenges and perspectives of this population within the broader American context.
Assimilate: Assimilation is the process by which a minority group or culture adopts and adapts to the dominant culture, taking on the beliefs, values, and behaviors of that culture. It involves the absorption and integration of individuals or groups into a new social structure or way of life.
Bicultural Identity: Bicultural identity refers to the experience of individuals who have internalized and integrated two distinct cultural identities. It involves the ability to navigate and function effectively within two different cultural contexts, often as a result of exposure to and participation in multiple cultural environments.
Civil Rights Movement: The Civil Rights Movement was a long-lasting struggle by African Americans and their allies to end racial discrimination and secure equal rights and opportunities under the law. It was a pivotal social movement that transformed American society by challenging deeply entrenched systems of racism, prejudice, and inequality.
Code-Switching: Code-switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages, dialects, or communication styles within a single conversation or context. It is a common linguistic phenomenon observed among bilingual or multilingual individuals, as well as within certain social and cultural groups.
Color-Avoidance Racism: Color-avoidance racism is a form of racial discrimination that arises from pretending race and color do not exist, thereby ignoring the impacts of racism and the experiences of people of color. It operates under the guise of "colorblindness," often resulting in the perpetuation of racial inequalities by failing to address and confront them.
Colorism: Colorism is a form of prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group. It prioritizes lighter skin tones over darker ones, impacting individuals' opportunities and societal treatment.
Colorism: Colorism is a form of prejudice and discrimination that favors lighter-skinned individuals over their darker-skinned counterparts, often within the same racial or ethnic group. It is a complex issue that intersects with broader concepts of race, ethnicity, and minority group dynamics.
Cultural Appropriation: Cultural appropriation refers to the act of adopting or using elements from a minority or marginalized culture by members of a dominant culture, often without understanding or respecting the original cultural context and significance. It is a complex issue that intersects with topics of power dynamics, cultural exchange, and the preservation of cultural identity.
Discrimination: Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. It involves actions or policies that deny equal opportunities and rights to individuals or groups based on prejudice.
Discrimination: Discrimination refers to the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, or disability. It involves denying individuals or groups access to opportunities, resources, and rights based on their perceived membership in a particular social group.
Dominant group: In the context of racial and ethnic relations, a dominant group is the social group that holds the most power, resources, and privileges in a society. This group often sets societal norms and standards that other groups are measured against or must conform to.
Ethnicity: Ethnicity refers to a person's cultural identity and sense of belonging to a particular social group based on shared ancestry, language, traditions, and beliefs. It is a complex and multifaceted concept that encompasses both objective and subjective aspects of an individual's identity.
Ethnocentrism: Ethnocentrism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture over others. It often involves judging other cultures by the standards and values of one's own culture.
Ethnocentrism: Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own cultural group and its practices as superior to those of other groups. It involves judging other cultures based on the standards and values of one's own culture, often leading to a lack of understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity.
Eurocentric: Eurocentric refers to a worldview that is centered on and biased towards European or Western culture, history, and perspectives, often considering them as the standard or norm against which all other cultures and societies are evaluated and judged.
Glass ceiling: The glass ceiling is an invisible barrier that prevents certain groups, particularly women and minorities, from advancing beyond a certain level in a hierarchy or organization, despite qualifications or achievements. It reflects underlying institutional biases that limit opportunities for advancement based on gender, race, or ethnicity.
Glass Ceiling: The glass ceiling refers to an invisible, yet unbreakable barrier that prevents certain groups, particularly women and minorities, from advancing to higher-level positions within an organization or industry, despite their qualifications and experience.
In-Group Bias: In-group bias refers to the tendency for individuals to favor and show preference towards members of their own social group (the in-group) over those who are not part of that group (the out-group). This bias can manifest in various ways, such as positive evaluation, cooperation, and resource allocation towards in-group members.
Internalized Racism: Internalized racism refers to the process by which individuals from marginalized racial groups internalize and accept the negative stereotypes, beliefs, and attitudes about their own racial group that are propagated by the dominant culture. This can lead to self-devaluation, feelings of inferiority, and the perpetuation of oppressive systems.
Intersectionality: Intersectionality is a theoretical framework that examines how multiple social identities, such as race, class, gender, sexuality, and disability, intersect and create unique experiences of privilege, oppression, and discrimination. It explores how these interconnected identities shape individuals' lived experiences and social realities.
Latinx: Latinx is a gender-neutral term used to refer to people of Latin American descent, including those from Brazil. It is used as an alternative to Latino/Latina to be more inclusive of all gender identities and expressions within the Latin American diaspora.
Marginalization: Marginalization refers to the process by which individuals or groups are pushed to the periphery of society, denied access to resources, and excluded from meaningful participation in the economic, social, and political life of the community. It is a complex phenomenon that can manifest in various forms and have far-reaching consequences for those affected.
Microaggressions: Microaggressions are brief, commonplace, and often unintentional verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities that communicate negative or derogatory messages about a person's race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or other identity. These subtle, sometimes unconscious, comments or actions can have a significant impact on individuals and contribute to the perpetuation of systemic inequalities.
Minority group: A minority group consists of individuals who, due to physical or cultural characteristics, are singled out from others in the society in which they live for differential and unequal treatment, and who therefore regard themselves as objects of collective discrimination. The term does not necessarily imply a minority in actual numbers but rather an imbalance in power and access to resources such as opportunities, rights, and privileges.
Model Minority Myth: The model minority myth is a stereotype that portrays certain ethnic minority groups as having achieved socioeconomic success through hard work, education, and merit, implying that they have overcome discrimination and serve as an example for other minority groups to follow. This myth is often used to mask systemic racism and downplay the challenges faced by diverse communities.
Race: Race is a socially constructed category used to divide people into groups based on perceived physical and social differences, often rooted in pseudoscientific beliefs about inherent genetic and cultural distinctions. In the context of sociology, race is examined as a complex social phenomenon that shapes individual and group experiences, social structures, and power dynamics.
Racism: Racism is a belief or ideology that attributes specific and/or inherent qualities, characteristics, or abilities to people based solely on their race or ethnicity. It often involves the belief that one race is superior to others and can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and the unfair treatment of individuals or groups. Racism is a complex and multifaceted concept that is deeply intertwined with issues of social stratification, minority groups, prejudice, and the historical and contemporary experiences of race and ethnicity in the United States.
Redlining: Redlining is the discriminatory practice by which banks, insurance companies, and other institutions refuse or limit loans, mortgages, insurance, or other financial services in certain neighborhoods based on racial or ethnic composition without regard to the residents' qualifications or creditworthiness. It historically contributed to racial segregation and the economic disparities seen between different racial and ethnic communities.
Redlining: Redlining is the discriminatory practice of denying or limiting financial services, such as mortgages, loans, or insurance, to certain neighborhoods based on their racial or ethnic composition. This term is closely connected to the topics of racial, ethnic, and minority groups, theoretical perspectives on race and ethnicity, race and ethnicity in the United States, and work in the United States.
Segregation: Segregation is the enforced separation of different racial or ethnic groups within a community, society, or organization. It often involves the use of laws, policies, or actions that spatially divide people based on racial or ethnic characteristics.
Segregation: Segregation refers to the physical, social, and institutional separation of different racial, ethnic, or minority groups within a society. It involves the intentional division and isolation of these groups, often leading to unequal access to resources, opportunities, and rights.
Social construction of race: The social construction of race is the process by which societies categorize individuals into racial groups based on characteristics, such as physical appearance, cultural affiliation, and historical context, rather than biological or scientific basis. It highlights how racial categories and the significance attached to them are created, maintained, and changed over time through social processes and interactions.
Stereotypes: Stereotypes are oversimplified generalizations about groups of people that may or may not reflect reality. They can involve attributes related to race, ethnicity, gender, and more, affecting perceptions and interactions.
Stereotypes: Stereotypes are oversimplified, generalized beliefs about a particular group of people that do not account for individual differences. They are mental shortcuts that people use to categorize and make sense of the world around them, but often lead to prejudiced and discriminatory attitudes and behaviors.
Subordinate group: A subordinate group is a social group that experiences discrimination, inequality, and less power relative to the dominant group within a society. These groups are often marginalized based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin.
Systemic racism: Systemic racism encompasses the policies and practices entrenched in established institutions that harm certain racial groups while benefiting others. It manifests in areas such as criminal justice, employment, housing, health care, political power, and education.
Systemic Racism: Systemic racism refers to the complex and interconnected systems, policies, practices, and attitudes that perpetuate racial inequalities and disparities across various societal institutions. It is a pervasive and deeply embedded form of racism that goes beyond individual prejudices or discriminatory actions.
Welfare Queen: The term 'welfare queen' refers to a stereotype of a woman, often a woman of color, who is perceived to be taking advantage of government assistance programs, particularly welfare benefits, by making fraudulent claims or having children solely to increase her welfare payments. This term has been used to perpetuate negative stereotypes and prejudices against marginalized communities, particularly racial and ethnic minorities.
The concept of the 'welfare queen' is closely tied to the topics of racial, ethnic, and minority groups, as it is often used to vilify and stigmatize these communities, portraying them as lazy, dishonest, and dependent on government handouts.
White privilege: White privilege is the systemic and societal advantages that benefit white people beyond what is commonly experienced by people of other racial and ethnic groups under the same social, political, or economic circumstances. It encompasses unearned benefits and rights afforded to white individuals due to their race.
White Privilege: White privilege refers to the unearned advantages and benefits that individuals with white skin color enjoy in society, often without being fully aware of them. It is a concept that highlights the systemic and institutional advantages that white people possess compared to other racial groups.
Xenophobia: Xenophobia is the fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners, stemming from a perception of them as an external threat to a country's culture, economy, or social order. In the context of globalization and the economy, it can manifest in opposition to international collaboration, immigration, and foreign investment.
Xenophobia: Xenophobia is the fear, hatred, or prejudice against people or cultures perceived as foreign or different. It is a key concept in understanding issues of racial, ethnic, and minority group dynamics, as well as the broader themes of prejudice, discrimination, and racism in society.