Race and ethnicity concepts exam review

What is race?

Race is a social construct used to categorize people based on physical characteristics, such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture.

What is ethnicity?

Ethnicity refers to shared cultural practices, perspectives, and distinctions that set apart one group of people from another, often linked to nationality, language, or religion.

True or False: Race has no biological basis.

True. Scientific consensus indicates that race is primarily a social construct with no genetic basis.

Contrast race and ethnicity.

Race: physical traits. Ethnicity: cultural identity. - Race is often visible; ethnicity is about cultural heritage.

Fill in the blank: _____ refers to the systemic advantages held by a dominant group.

Privilege. - It often manifests in societal structures, access to resources, and everyday experiences.

What is the social construction of race?

It is the concept that race is created and defined by societal norms and perceptions, rather than by inherent biological differences.

Cause → Effect: Racism → Social Inequality.

Racism leads to systemic discrimination, resulting in unequal access to education, employment, and healthcare.

What are stereotypes?

Stereotypes are oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group of people, which can lead to bias and discrimination.

What is institutional racism?

Institutional racism refers to policies and practices within institutions that, intentionally or unintentionally, disadvantage racial minorities.

True or False: Ethnic groups cannot change over time.

False. Ethnic identities can evolve due to migration, cultural exchange, and changing societal dynamics.

Define cultural appropriation.

Cultural appropriation is the adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without permission or understanding.

What is intersectionality?

Intersectionality is the study of how various social identities (race, gender, class) overlap and interact, contributing to unique experiences of oppression or privilege.

Example of racial socialization.

Parents teaching children about their racial identity, cultural heritage, and how to navigate societal racism.

True or False: All forms of racism are overt.

False. Racism can be both overt (explicit) and covert (implicit), impacting attitudes and behaviors.

What are microaggressions?

Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional, comments or actions that convey prejudice or discrimination against marginalized groups.

What is assimilation?

Assimilation is the process through which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the customs and beliefs of another culture, often losing their original identity.

Define social stratification.

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals in society based on wealth, power, race, and ethnicity, leading to unequal access to resources.

True or False: Race is a biological construct.

False. Race is a social construct with no biological basis, but it significantly impacts social inequality.

How does ethnicity differ from race?

Ethnicity is based on shared cultural practices and traditions, while race is often defined by physical characteristics.

What contributes to systemic racism?

Systemic racism is perpetuated by institutional policies, practices, and cultural norms that favor one racial group over others.

Fill in the blank: ________ refers to the unequal distribution of resources based on race.

Racial inequality.

Cause → Effect: Discrimination leads to _____.

Disadvantaged social positions and economic inequality.

Give an example of racial profiling.

Police stopping individuals based on their race rather than their behavior or evidence.

What is white privilege?

White privilege refers to the unearned advantages that white people experience based on their race in a racially stratified society.

Compare income inequality in different racial groups.

Income inequality shows that minority groups typically earn less than white counterparts, e.g., median income for Black families is $\displaystyle 45,000 while for white families it is$75,000.

Consequence of redlining?

Redlining leads to racial segregation, decreased access to mortgages for minorities, and long-term economic disadvantages.

What role does education play in racial inequality?

Education affects social mobility; disparities in educational quality contribute to ongoing racial inequality in employment and income.

True or False: Social class is unrelated to race.

False. Social class and race are intertwined, affecting individuals' life chances and opportunities.

Define cultural identity.

Cultural identity refers to the sense of belonging to a specific culture, shaped by language, traditions, and values.

What is assimilation?

Assimilation is the process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural traits of another group, often losing their original culture.

True or False: Multiculturalism promotes the dominance of one culture.

False. Multiculturalism promotes the coexistence of diverse cultures and values.

Compare assimilation and multiculturalism.

Assimilation: Adopting a dominant culture. Multiculturalism: Valuing multiple cultures equally.

Fill in the blank: __________ is the blending of different cultural practices.

Syncretism is the blending of different cultural practices.

What role does language play in cultural identity?

Language serves as a key marker of cultural identity, influencing communication and community cohesion.

Cause → Effect: Cultural exchange leads to...

Cultural exchange leads to enriched societies, where different cultural practices and ideas are shared.

What is a cultural stereotype?

A cultural stereotype is an oversimplified and generalized belief about a particular group based on their ethnicity or culture.

Give an example of cultural appropriation.

Wearing traditional attire of another culture without understanding its significance can be seen as cultural appropriation.

How does globalization affect cultural identity?

Globalization can lead to the dilution of cultural identities as global cultures intermingle and sometimes overshadow local cultures.

True or False: Multiculturalism ensures equal representation of all cultures.

True. Multiculturalism aims for equal representation and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds.

What is cultural relativism?

Cultural relativism is the principle of understanding and evaluating cultures based on their own standards rather than external criteria.

What is systemic racism?

Systemic racism refers to the policies and practices entrenched in established institutions, which consistently result in the disadvantage of certain racial groups. Examples include discriminatory lending practices and unequal educational opportunities.

True or false: The Black Lives Matter movement focuses solely on police violence.

False. While it addresses police violence, BLM also highlights broader issues of racial inequality, systemic oppression, and social justice.

Fill in the blank: ___________ refers to the economic disparity between racial groups.

Wealth gap is the term used to describe the economic disparity between racial groups, often reflected in income, assets, and access to resources.

Compare affirmative action and colorblind policies.

Affirmative action actively seeks to address historical inequalities through targeted support. Colorblind policies aim to treat everyone equally, often ignoring systemic disparities.

What is racial microaggression?

Racial microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional, comments or actions that convey derogatory messages to individuals based on their race. Example: Asking a person of color where they are 'really' from.

Cause → Effect: Immigration policies impact racial demographics how?

Immigration policies can shift racial demographics by regulating who can enter and reside in the country, significantly altering cultural and ethnic diversity.

What is the model minority myth?

The model minority myth is the stereotype that certain racial groups, particularly Asian Americans, are inherently successful and hardworking. This oversimplifies experiences and ignores systemic barriers faced by individuals within these groups.

True or false: Racial profiling is a justified law enforcement practice.

False. Racial profiling is criticized for perpetuating stereotypes and leading to discrimination without evidence of wrongdoing, undermining trust in law enforcement.

What role does social media play in contemporary racial discussions?

Social media serves as a platform for activism, awareness, and community building, allowing real-time sharing of experiences and mobilization for racial justice movements.

Current event: What is the impact of critical race theory debates?

The debates over critical race theory affect educational policies and discussions on how race is taught in schools, influencing societal understandings of history and systemic racism.