Comparing Ethnicity And Biological Similarities
Race and Ethnicity
Are social constructions (not biological realities)
Form basis for classification systems
Based on perceived similarities
Often hierarchical (one valued over the other)
Specific place in ranking is related to wealth, power and longevity in place
Neither are based in biology/genetic difference
Ethnicity
Ethnic Groups-Groups within society that display unique cultural traits: language, religion, cuisine, etc.
Panethnic Groups: Category or grouping of related ethnic groups: Euro-Americans; Hispanic American, Asian Americans, etc.
What are minorities?
More or less wealth determines minorities, Groups who are singled out for differential treatment. They exert less power and have fewer resources.
They have worse life chances
Minorities include:
Women
LGBTQ
People with disabilities
Race/ethnic group
US ETHNIC TIERS
Euro- American Protestants
Euro-American Catholics, Jews and many Asian-Americans
“Racialized” groups, including African-Americans, Hispanics. And some Asian Americans.
Bases of Hierachy
Economic
Political
Discrimination (how the government treats you)/Prejudice (individual treats you)
Measures of integration
- Integration (residence, education, intermarriage)
Income (money you are making and not old money), and wealth (the value of your assets minus the value of your debt)
Broader Context
US has 5% of the world’s population and 25% of the world’s inmates
In the 198-s, US became more punitive (Crime rates did NOT rise)
Why?
Political ideology (“tough on crime’)
Legislative changes (three strikes, mandatory sentencing guidelines, ‘war on drugs’
Privatization (private industry is about profit) of the prison industry
Felon VOTING RIGHTS -Vary by state
Kentucky has the strictest. Most punitive laws
(requires the governor to restore the right to vote on a case by case basis)
Disenfranchising weakens democracy
Low income and minorities disproportionately lose voting right.
Are social constructions (not biological realities)
Form basis for classification systems
Based on perceived similarities
Often hierarchical (one valued over the other)
Specific place in ranking is related to wealth, power and longevity in place
Neither are based in biology/genetic difference
Ethnicity
Ethnic Groups-Groups within society that display unique cultural traits: language, religion, cuisine, etc.
Panethnic Groups: Category or grouping of related ethnic groups: Euro-Americans; Hispanic American, Asian Americans, etc.
What are minorities?
More or less wealth determines minorities, Groups who are singled out for differential treatment. They exert less power and have fewer resources.
They have worse life chances
Minorities include:
Women
LGBTQ
People with disabilities
Race/ethnic group
US ETHNIC TIERS
Euro- American Protestants
Euro-American Catholics, Jews and many Asian-Americans
“Racialized” groups, including African-Americans, Hispanics. And some Asian Americans.
Bases of Hierachy
Economic
Political
Discrimination (how the government treats you)/Prejudice (individual treats you)
Measures of integration
- Integration (residence, education, intermarriage)
Income (money you are making and not old money), and wealth (the value of your assets minus the value of your debt)
Broader Context
US has 5% of the world’s population and 25% of the world’s inmates
In the 198-s, US became more punitive (Crime rates did NOT rise)
Why?
Political ideology (“tough on crime’)
Legislative changes (three strikes, mandatory sentencing guidelines, ‘war on drugs’
Privatization (private industry is about profit) of the prison industry
Felon VOTING RIGHTS -Vary by state
Kentucky has the strictest. Most punitive laws
(requires the governor to restore the right to vote on a case by case basis)
Disenfranchising weakens democracy
Low income and minorities disproportionately lose voting right.