Prejudice and Discrimination

Unit 7- Race and EthnicitySubtopic

What’s the Difference Between Race and Ethnicity?

Race – based on physical characteristics, Ethnicity – based on culture and nationality

One of the reasons that race and ethnicity are still relevant (though biologically there is really no difference) is because of different relations

between these groups.Minority group status, and the racism and discrimination that can go with it.

Racism• The belief that one’s own race or ethnic group

is naturally superior to other races – Can be subtle or direct (beliefs or actions can count as racism)– Doesn’t have to be overt or direct discrimination (like burning a cross

or calling someone names)

Mongolian neo-Nazi group the Tsagaan Khas ('White Swastika') salute on the streets of the capital, Ulan Bator Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

Racism can show itself in two forms: prejudice and discrimination

Prejudice• Attitudes (positive or negative) towards members

of a group solely for their membership in that group– In a famous study of prejudice, from the 1930s an author

toured the country with an Asian couple, stopping at 250 restaurants. Only one restaurant refused them service (because they were Oriental).

– Six months later the scientist wrote the same restaurants making reservations for an Asian couple, and over 90% of the managers wrote back refusing to seat them, because of policies against "Orientals".• When actually seeing the Asian couple, they did not discriminate, but

they were prejudiced - and would not make the reservations.

Stereotypes• an oversimplified, exaggerated or

unfavorable generalization about a group of people

Can become a “Self-fulfilling prophecy”

Prediction that results in behavior that makes the prediction come true:

If a group is seen as lazy, they will not be hired for high end work, since they were not hired for high end work, they will end up in lower end (more sporadic) work – and are often seen on the streets in between jobs.

Typical Stereotypes

– blacks are good at sports, white men can’t jump, Asians are good at math• Could be good or bad• 1930s study – “included Jews as shrewd and mercenary, Japanese

as shrewd and sly, Negroes as lazy and happy-go-lucky and Americans as industrious and intelligent.”

• Often had some sort of basis or origin. - "stupid Poles" - emerged because the first Polish immigrants were uneducated. "blacks are good at sports and music" emerged because blacks were barred from other avenues for upward mobility, and tried harder at those industries. (Sociology in a Changing World By William Kornblum

• The Cigar Store Indian• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpGfyp6MxkM

DiscriminationUnfair treatment directed against someone• Many reasons: –class, age, weight,

religion, race, etc.– (denial of equal treatment to

individuals based on their group membership)

• Actions taken against people on account of race is “racial discrimination”

•

Individual discrimination

• By one or a few– BY individuals or small

groups, against individuals or small groups• burning a cross, not renting

to a minority, beating up a Jew, spray painting swastikas, etc.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZyzzrI0dgw (Sigma Alpha Epsilon)

• Show “True Colors”

Institutional discrimination

• By an institution or organization (even US government or society)

• https://screen.yahoo.com/white-000000112.html (Eddie Murphy SNL)

Institutional discrimination Woven into the fabric of society or organizations Policies designed by the dominant group that have negative

effects on minorities• Plessy vs. Ferguson decision (separate but equal)

– Jim Crow laws until the 1950s

• Denny’s in Maryland, 1993, black secret service men. Policy of making blacks pay first, denying access to blacks when they got to be too many.

• Virginia Military Institute didn’t admit women until 1996• Rodney King, 1992 all white jury, acquitted the police who beat him.

Showed LA Police condoned antiblack activities, also racial slurs often over radio broadcasting

• Cynthia Recendez Skip 3:00 - 4:11 (the CBS clip)• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bzFpAPgK8w

Current Events

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgcIN_RJ7Tk

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSNbpvX1qYc

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3SsqCx6Pd4

Can you be prejudiced without discriminating? (or vice versa?)

• Yes! Maybe discrimination serves you in some other way, like if everyone around you tells racist jokes, you might too, just to fit in, without really believing them.

Merton’s Patterns of Prejudice and Discrimination

Timid Bigot

Active Bigot

Merton’s Patterns of Prejudice and Discrimination

– Active bigot – prejudiced person who discriminates• This group would include the KKK who is both prejudiced and who discriminates.

• – Fair-weather liberal – non prejudiced person who discriminates

• This person believes there is really no difference between races and ethnic groups, but still discriminates as a matter of convenience.

– These people tend to be those who go along with the crowd or obey orders. They may feel guilty because they act under pressure in contrast to their inner values.

– Ex: A shop owner who won’t hire blacks, so that it will help business with his racist clientele.

• – Timid Bigot – prejudiced person who does not discriminate

• Merton describes this person as a closet bigot. They are prejudiced, but they do not openly discriminate. These people tend to be afraid of acting on their prejudices, not wanting be caught or punished.

– Ex: A shop owner who is racist, but does not discriminate since it would hurt business.

• – All-weather Liberal – non prejudiced person who does not discriminate

• This person accepts ethnic and racial groups as equals in theory and practice. (even if it hurts business)• These people tend to be very educated, non-traditional, and open-minded individuals who fail to

remember that others rarely feel the same way they do.

Video and Pictorial review quiz:

• What term or terms best describes the picture?• Why?

Where does prejudice come from?

• Is it inherent?• Is it learned?– If learned, then where?• Parents• Media- movies, television, music, magazines• PeersOften subtle/covert rather than obvious/overt

Do you see racism in this magazine cover?