Racial and Ethnic Identity (GenEd 200)

7/31/2019 Racial and Ethnic Identity (GenEd 200)

1/19


2/19

DEFINITIONS

RACEA social construct. It denotes a

category of people perceived by

themselves or others as distinctiveon the basis of certain ascribedbiological traits.

Despite popular perceptions andeveryday misuse of the term, RACEIS A BIOLOGICAL SOCIAL

CLASSIFICATION, NOT A CULTURAL


3/19

DEFINITIONS

Ethnicity

a social classification based on distinctculturaldifferences. An ethnic group iscomprised of people perceived by

themselves and others as sharingdistinctive cultural traits, such as values,beliefs, worldview, and their behaviormanifestations (i.e., language, dress, food,

lifestyle, etcetera).


4/19

RECALL THAT

Identity refers to a person's conception of their

individuality or group affiliations, and theirexpression of it.

Identity is different from the self, which is anindividuals sense of psychological continuity.

On a personallevel, differences in psychologicalcharacteristics form identity.

On a sociallevel, differences in cultural characteristics

that shape social behaviors and perceptions ofreality form identity.


5/19

RACIAL / ETHNIC IDENTITY

Because culture is a process of humandevelopmentthat encompasses the totality oflearned values, norms, knowledge, artifacts,language and symbols that are constantly

communicated among an aggregate of peoplewho share a common way of life

Racial/ethnic identity is a person's conceptionof their individuality or group affiliations

based on cultural characteristics defined byrace/ethnicity, and their expression of it.


6/19

RACIAL / ETHNIC IDENTITY

More precisely

Racial identity is a person's conception of theirsocially constructedindividuality or group affiliationbased on certain ascribed biological traits,

particularly phenotype (skin color).

Ethnic identity is based in actual, distinctive culturalcharacteristics -- such as values, beliefs, worldview,and their behavior manifestations (e.g., roles,

institutions) -- that are mutually shared.


7/19

RACISM IS BASED IN ETHNOCENTRISM

Ethnocentrism

the beliefthat ones own culture issuperiorto all others.

It refers to the tendency to regard

ones own cultural values, beliefs,worldview, and their behaviormanifestations as comparativelygood and right and to judge the

cultural patterns of other socialgroups by these standards.


8/19

ETHNOCENTRISM


9/19

DEFINITIONS

Prejudice -- attitudinalAn opinion about a category of people

based on culturally-shaped subjectivejudgmentsabout the real or imaginedinferiority or superiority of moral,intellectual or other nonphysical,cultural attributesascribed to certain

unalterable biological attributes or traitspossessed by that category of socialagents.


10/19

DEFINITIONS

Discrimination -- behavioralPrescriptiveethnocentricdecisions

about, and actions toward, a

category of people based on theirpresumed racial or ethniccharacteristics and identities that

intend to disallowtheir achievementof individual or group needs.


11/19

DEFINITIONS

Racism -- behavioral

Prescriptiveethnocentricdecisionsandactionsbased on the comparativeinferiority of moral, intellectual andother nonphysical culturalcharacteristics of a category of socialagents with ascribed, unalterable

biological attributes or traits that intendto disallowtheir achievement ofindividual or group needs.


12/19

SCIENTIFIC RACISM?


13/19

EXAMPLES OF RACISM


14/19

EXAMPLES OF RACISM


15/19

RECENT EXAMPLES OF RACISM

The study published in the American Sociological Review

found that racially segregated minority neighborhoodswere beset with unreasonable fees and interest ratesby lenders beginning in the 1990s.

Because lenders could pool high- and low-risk loans to

sell on the secondary market, the study's authors say,minority areas tended to have lenders that "chargehigh fees and usurious rates of interest" - such aspawn shops and check cashing services.

The study, which analyzed data from the 100 biggest U.S.metro areas, found that African-Americans were morelikely to receive subprime loans than white borrowerswith similar credit.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503983_162-20018420-503983.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503983_162-20018420-503983.htmlhttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503983_162-20018420-503983.htmlhttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503983_162-20018420-503983.htmlhttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503983_162-20018420-503983.htmlhttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503983_162-20018420-503983.htmlhttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503983_162-20018420-503983.htmlhttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503983_162-20018420-503983.htmlhttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503983_162-20018420-503983.html


16/19

RECENT EXAMPLES OF RACISM

Black neighborhoods in Baltimore were disproportionately affected by thesubprime mortgage fallout, according to a federal lawsuit filed by the city,

which is attempting to recoup the costs of maintaining neighborhoodswracked by foreclosures.

The suit alleges Wells Fargo Bank N.A. engaged in a pattern of predatorylending practices in Baltimore's poorest neighborhoods, leading toforeclosure rates nearly double the citywide average. The San Francisco-

based bank targeted black neighborhoods by using reverse redlining,which is prohibited under the federal Fair Housing Act. For example, itclaims that mortgages for homes worth $75,000 or less - most of whichare located in black neighborhoods - had higher rates and were ladenwith fees and surcharges.

"You could be equally well-qualified, but if you happen to buy a house that'sworth $75,000 or less, you're going to pay more," said John P. Relman, aWashington-based attorney who is representing the city in the lawsuit.City Solicitor George Nilson said foreclosures have cost Baltimore tensof millions.

Wells Fargo does not comment on pending litigation, but spokeswoman


17/19

INTERNALIZED RACISM


18/19

Race and the Law

For Section 04: We will be examining The 15th century origin of Racism, and its relationship

to capitalism, imperialism and colonialism, andscience.

Theories of Racism The institutionalization of Racism through American

Law (jurisprudence), for example, the Articles ofConfederation, the 14th Amendment, slave laws,

antebellum Jim Crow laws, abolishment of AffirmativeAction.

Internalized Racism


19/19

ThankYou!

Documents

Racial and Ethnic Identity (GenEd 200)