Prejudice and Discrimination
Unit 7- Race and Ethnicity
Subtopic
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 “Selffulfilling 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-golucky 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
Discrimination
Unfair 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.co
m/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_RJ
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• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSNbpv
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• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3SsqCx
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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
Active Bigot
Timid 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
• Peers
Often subtle/covert rather than obvious/overt
Do you see racism in this magazine cover?