Jonathan Lewis

Sociology
Hr. 1st

Chapter 10 Project
Sec 1. Race, Ethnicity, and the Social Structure.
Race: is a category of people who share inherited physical characteristics and whim
others see as being a distinct group. For sociologists, the important issue is not that a person has
a specific color of skin or hair of a certain texture. Rather, sociologist are concerned with how
people react to these physical characteristics and how these reactions affect individuals in
society.
Ethnicity: the set cultural characteristics that distinguishes one group from another.
People who share a common cultural background and a common sense of identity are known as
an ethnic group.
Ethnicity is generally based on such cultural characteristics as national origin, religion,
language, customs, and values. ethnicity and race refer to two separate sets of characteristics.
ethnicity is based on cultural considerations. On the other hand, race is based on physical
considerations. Nevertheless, some ethnic groups groups are also racially distinct group in the
united states. Many african americans also share a common ethnic heritage that includes
particular foods, types of music, forms of speech, and cultural traits. Similarly, groups such as
Japanese Americans, Chinese Americans, and Korean Americans can be classified both
ethnically and racially
Minority Group: a group of people who- because of their physical characteristics or
cultural practices -are singled out and unequally treated. As a result, group members view

themselves as objects of collective discrimination. You should be aware that the term minority
has nothing to do with group size
Sec 2. Patterns of Intergroup Relations
Discrimination and Prejudice: these are common features of the minority-group
experience. Although the words are often used interchangeably, discrimination and prejudice are
two separate but related conditions. Discrimination is the denial of equal treatment to individuals
based on their government on their group membership By definition discrimination involves
behaviors. Prejudice is an unsupported generalization about a category of people. Prejudice
refers to attitudes. In daily conversation, you might say that you are prejudiced for or against
someone or something. Sociologists generally focus on negative forms of prejudice.
Racism: the belief that ones own race or ethnic group is naturally superior to other races
or ethnic groups. Throughout history, racism has been used as a justification for atrocities such as
slavery and genocide.
Cultural Pluralism: the policy allows each group within society to keep its unique cultural
identity.
Assimilation: the blending of culturally distinct groups into a single group with a
common culture and identity. In most societies, some assimilation occurs voluntarily. Over time,
the various groups within society exchange many cultural traits as a natural outcome of daily
interaction. On the other hand, attempts to force assimilation often lead to conflict.
Policies that physically separate a minority group from the dominant group are referred to
as segregation. Under segregation, the minority group is forbidden to live in the same areas as
the dominant group and cannot use the same public facilities. Sociologists recognize two types

of segregation. De jure segregation is based on laws. Segregation based on informal norms is

called de facto segregation.
Sec 3. Minority Groups In The United States
African Americans: Comprising more than 12 percent of the population, African
Americans are one of the largest minority groups in the country. With the possible exceptions of
American Indians and women, no other American minority group has suffered such a long
history of prejudice and discrimination. First brought to this country as slaves in the early 1600s,
african americans have only recently gained an economic and political foothold in American
society.
Hispanics: They have gained increasing political power in recent years and currently hold
more than 6,000 elected and appointed offices. Hispanics also control large voting blocks in
several states, particularly California, New York, Illinois, and Florida.
Asian Americans: Representing close to 4 percent of the total U.S. population, Asian
Americans are the country's third-largest ethnic minority group. The 1990 census placed the size
of the Asian American population at more than 7 million. By the 2000 census, that figure had
grown to more than 10 million. Based on current growth rates, the U.S. Census Bureau projects
that Asian Americans will make up 9 percent of the U.S. population by the year 2050.
The relatively small size of the Asian American population and its current high growth
rate are a reflection of changes in the United States immigration policies over the years. The first
wave of Asian immigration began in the 1850s when chinese workers were brought to the West
Coast to work in the gold mines and to help build railroads.

ARTICLES
NEWS

Minority Leaders
By Migdalia Rivera, Executive director, Latino Institute | May 3, 1991
As the executive director of an organization that has been promoting Hispanic progress
through research, training and advocacy for the past 17 years, I wish to respond to the April 16
column by Prof. Yuji Aida, "Melting- pot meltdown in the U.S." The author's assumptions and
inferences about African-Americans and Hispanics were clearly racist and downright offensive.
Perhaps if Aida spent some time examining the larger picture-free of racist assumptions and
stereotypes-he would be able to provide a more informed...

NEWS

Immigrants, minority groups skeptical about Republican

outreach
Andrea Shalal-Esa and Reuters | November 18, 2012
BALTIMORE (Reuters) - Latinos, African-Americans and other minorities who helped
President Barack Obama win a second term are skeptical about enhanced Republican outreach to
their communities, but also say the future of the coalition that shaped the 2012 election may be
fragile. Top Republicans rushed to do damage control last week after Mitt Romney blamed his

election loss on what he called an Obama strategy of giving "gifts" to blacks, Latinos and
young...
NEWS

Elmhurst College Frat Warned After Racial Unrest

By Annemarie Mannion | November 1, 1990
Elmhurst College President Ivan E. Frick said Wednesday that the Alpha Tau Omega
fraternity will be placed on provisionary status for the remainder of the school year and that a
panel of students and faculty will monitor its activities. The action stems from an incident of
racial violence on the campus last week. A fight broke out between at least five black students
and approximately five white members of the fraternity at a lip-sync show sponsored by the
fraternity last...

Work Cited
Articles - "Minority Groups." Articles about. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2015.
Information - Thomas, W. LaVerne. Holt Sociology: The Study of Human Relationships.
Austin, TX: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2005. Print.