Lecture Outline: White Ethnics & Others
Issues for Group Discussion:
1. How did European immigrants come to be seen as “white”? What is White Privilege? (Schaefer 117-133)
2. What is “Symbolic Ethnicity” & how does it affect their lives (or not) – friends, marriage, housing, jobs, etc.?
What is the “principle of third generation interest”? (Schaefer 117-123)
3. What have been some of the key experiences and trends for the German, Irish, Italian, Polish, Jewish And Arab
Americans as immigrants and in subsequent generations? (Schaefer 174-133, Ch. 11 & Ch. 14)
 How treated upon arrival – prejudice & discrimination? How has religious difference served as target of
hostility?
 What is the Ethnic Paradox? How did ethnic-immig. neighborhoods, religious bodies & schools, & social
& self-help groups aid their adjustment to US & assimilation?
 Socio-Economic Status of each group -- Early on vs. Now, etc.
4. What sorts of diversity is there among Arab Americans (& also Muslim Americans)? How & why are political
issues especially relevant for Arab Americans, esp. in recent years? (Schaefer, Ch 11)
5. What is role of anti-Semitism in creating ethnic Jewish solidarity & identity? Can one be non-religious & have strong
Jewish Identity? What is effect of assimilation on Jewish identity? How did Jews become white? (Schaefer, ch. 14)?
6. How have Arab and Jewish Americans experienced prejudice & discrimination in current era (Schaefer Ch. 11,
Ch. 14;)? What role has Middle East conflicts?
7. Are Arab and Jewish Americans minority groups? In terms of SES & Ed? In terms of how treated – prejudice &
discrimination?
8. How do experiences of White Ethnics and Others compare with those of groups we’ve studied previously,
historically, in current era?
Lecture & key points from Group Discussion Report-In:
Whiteness—What is whiteness? Who is white?
How did European immigrant groups become white? Were they seen as white always? Role of
assimilation over generations, and role of education & upward social mobility [& prejudice
& discrimination against other minority groups]… (Schaefer 117-133)
Italian American stereotypes in Media still today… (Schaefer 117-133)
Symbolic Ethnicity [Optional ethnicity] for white ethnics – what is it and how is it available for
white ethnics but not for all ethnicities and races? (Schaefer 117-133)
Differences (and some overlap) between Muslim and Arab,& Where are Arabs in World vs.
where are Muslims. Blending of identity of Muslim, country of origin (e.g. Pakistani), and
American cultures for Pakistani immigrants. Prominence of African American Muslims in
US (Origins of Muslims in US is diverse); Christian roots of many early Arab
immigrants.(Schaefer Ch. 11)
Anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hostility in post-9/11 Us and in Media before and after, esp. in media
(& in racial profiling) (Schaefer Ch. 11) Example of Muslim ethnic profiling by NYC police
Where are largest numbers of Jews located in the World, & notion of Jewish Diaspora
Role of prejudice & discrimination in stimulating in-group solidarity & ethnic identity (esp. for
Jewish Americans, Schaefer Ch. 14)
Scape-goating of Jews, & long history of Anti-Semitism, some even still today… (Schaefer Ch.
14)
Jewish Identity complexity-- Cultural non-religious and Religious basis. With more assimilation
and less hostility from other groups, Jewish ID may lessen…(Schaefer Ch. 14)
Also Know:
White Privilege –What is it? (Schaefer 117-133)
Item # 3 on Group Discussion Issues to consider (know some basic history for German, Irish,
Italian, Polish, Jewish, and Arab immigrant groups, similarities and differences in US
(Schaefer117-133, Chs. 11 & 14) Are experiences for Jewish and Arab Americans somewhat
different from other white ethnic groups?
Are Jewish Americans and Arab Americans still minority groups? In terms of SES & Ed? In
terms of how treated – prejudice & discrimination? Any differences in experience for the two
groups in current era, esp. Arab Americans? (Schaefer Chs. 11 & 14)
Principle of 3rd generation Interest (Schaefer 117-133) (vs. Three Generation Cycle to
Assimilation)
What is the Ethnic Paradox? (Schaefer 117-133)