Ethnic Diversity in America Discussion Outline I. White Identity and privilege II. Rediscovering Ethnicity III. Ethnic Diversity and Historical Immigration I. White Identity • English Immigrants established white identity and the privileges that went along with it • European ethnics assimilated and distanced themselves from oppressed groups to become a part of the dominant group – Language – Religion – Cultural practices • Most immigrants were not “white on arrival” but became “white” • Can you tell when someone is second or third generation Swedish American, Irish American, or German American • Most whites do not think of themselves as white or have a conscious racial identity the same way other racial groups often do • Whiteness is often invisible – Whites are not reminded of their whiteness often • Who are you? What is your identity? • Who is our current president? Who was the last president? • White privilege – Rights granted as a benefit or favor of being white • Does it exist? – Peggy McIntosh article The Rediscovery of Ethnicity • Blended Identity – A self image and worldview that is a combination of Religious faith, cultural background based on nationality, and status as resident or citizen of the United States • Moving freely among different identities in one’s daily life – Complexity of identity can lead to some confusion • The deficit model of ethnic identity – A view that states that others view one’s identity as a factor of subtracting away characteristics corresponding to some ideal ethnic type • Divisions and confusion arise in ethnic communities as to who can be counted a member of the community • What does it mean to be a perfect Arab American, Mexican American, or Chinese American? – People may view others as either too ethnic or too American • The Third Generation Principle – “What the son wishes to Forget, the Grandson wishes to remember” • Ethnic Paradox – Refers to the maintenance of one’s ethnic ties in a way that can assist with assimilation into the larger society • Immigrant youth and adults who maintain some ties to their ethnic ties have higher rates of success in society • Symbolic Ethnicity – Embraced mainly by ethnic whites – Ethnicity today involves the symbols of ethnicity and support for certain political issues, but it is mainly symbolic and does not interfere with one’s daily life • What country is the largest single source of ancestry in the United States? Historical Immigration Patterns – A nation of Immigrants with differing experiences • German Americans: Immigration began in 1700’s and between 1830 and 1890, German accounted for ¼ of immigrants • Irish Americans-Immigration dates back to 1600’s with major influx during the great potato famine of 1840’s – Were historically discrimnated against in U.S. and equated with black Americans during 1800’s-The Irish “grasped for whiteness” – In 2009, 36.9 million Americans identified themselves as Irish eight times the current population of Ireland itself. Massachusetts has the largest concentration (24%) • Italian Immigrants-Mass migration after 1880’s into 20th century – Suffering discrimination in the job market, crime became a means of upward mobility – Created modern stereotype of Italians as criminals