Overview
Race and Ethnicity are powerful social categories. While they have little biological basis, they have massive social consequences.
Core Idea
The core idea is social construction. Race is not a biological fact (genetically, humans are 99.9% identical). It is a story we tell to justify power and hierarchy.
Formal Definition
- Race: A category of people who share biologically transmitted traits that members of a society consider important (Skin color).
- Ethnicity: A shared cultural heritage (Language, Religion, Ancestry).
Intuition
- The Thomas Theorem: “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.” Race is biologically fake but socially real.
- Prejudice vs. Discrimination: Prejudice is an attitude (thought). Discrimination is an action (behavior).
Examples
- Institutional Racism: Racism built into the system (e.g., Redlining in housing, bias in criminal justice). It happens even without individual racists.
- White Privilege: The invisible knapsack of advantages that white people carry (not being followed in a store, seeing people like you in movies).
- Assimilation vs. Pluralism: Melting Pot (everyone becomes the same) vs. Salad Bowl (distinct cultures coexist).
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Racism is just being mean.
- Correction: It is a system of power. (Prejudice + Power = Racism).
- Misconception: We are “Colorblind.”
- Correction: Ignoring race often means ignoring the problems caused by racism.
Related Concepts
- Intersectionality: Being Black AND a Woman is different from being just Black or just a Woman.
- Genocide: The extreme end of ethnic conflict.
- Segregation: Physical separation of groups.
Applications
- Diversity Training: Trying to reduce bias in the workplace.
- Affirmative Action: Policies to correct historical injustices.
Criticism and Limitations
- Identity Politics: Critics argue focusing too much on group identity divides society.
Further Reading
- Racism without Racists by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander