ETHNIC GROUPS AND RACISM

Prepared by: Nichaella R. Biscocho

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THE SOCIOLOGICAL MEANING OF ETHNIC
GROUPS AND RACISM

• The classification of people into races and ethnic

groups carries deep implications on the social and
political life of different racial and ethnic groups.

• Positions of Power
• Superiority
• Prestige
These classifications led to the notion of:

• Racial superiority and racial inferiority

• Culturally advanced groups and culturally
disadvantaged
• Derogatory undertones and parody
• Apartheid policy
• Discrimination and prejudice
• Stereotyping
RACE
• Biologically, race refers to a
population that through generations of
inbreeding has developed more or less
distinctive physical characteristics
that are transmitted genetically
(Light, 1985).

It refers to a group of people who

perceive themselves and are
perceived by others a possessing
certain distinctive hereditary physical
traits.
 Commonness of genetic
heritage may be manifested
in the:

• Shape of the head and

face
• Shape and color of the
eyes
• Shape of the nose, lips
and ears
• Texture and color of the
hair
• Skin color
• Height
• Blood type
• Caucasoid, Negroid, Mongoloid and the
subgroups of primary and derived races.

A number of these physical traits may be used

but many of these traits do not vary altogether.
Hence, the classification of people into races is
arbitrary (Ember and Ember 1988: 118-119).

Sociologically, race refers to a group of people whom others

believe are genetically distinct and whom they treat
accordingly.
According to Davis Jary and Julie Dary, race is scientifically
discredited term previously used to describe biologically distinct
groups of persons who were alleged to have characteristics of
an unalterable nature.
Racial differences are seen as physical differences singled out
by the community or society as ethnically significant (Giddens
1989:246).

Sociologically, race refers to a group of people whom

others believe are genetically distinct and whom
they treat accordingly.
It is preferable to refer to ethnic
groups rather than race for its
historical and biological
connotations.
Despite the discredited nature of the concept of “race”, the idea still exerts a
powerful influence in everyday language and ideology.
 ETHNIC GROUP

• Represents a number of persons who have a

common cultural background as evidenced by a
feeling of loyalty to a given geographical territory
or leader, a feeling of identification with and unity
among historical and other group experiences, high
degree of similarity in social norms, ideas, and
material objects.
• A consciousness of kind “we” feeling are shared by
the members.
• Members of ethnic groups see themselves a
culturally different from other groups in the society
and are viewed by others to be so (Giddens
1989:243-244).
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Ethnic groups possess
their own:
• Culture
• Customs
• Norms
• Beliefs
• Traditions
There is usually a common
language, and boundary maintenance
is observed between members and
non-members, as well as by birth;
ethnic group membership may be
acquired through marriage in other
socially sanctioned rites.

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The importance of shared cultural values and
a group awareness of cultural distinctiveness
as key elements in ethnic group membership.
(Naroll, 1964)
Ethnic markers- the means whereby the
social boundaries between ethnic groups are
maintained. (Barth,1970)
SUMMARY
• Race is a label based on perceived physical differences, while
ethnicity is a label based on perceived cultural differences.
• An ethnic group is a category of people who perceive cultural
differences and are perceived by others as possessing shared
cultural traits - traits such as language, religion, family
customs and food preferences, while race refers to a
population who perceived themselves and is perceives by
others as possessing distinctive physical characteristics that
are transmitted genetically through generations of
inbreeding.
Social consequences of membership in racial
and ethnic groups

• Membership in racial and ethnic groups influences

people’s social status and roles as they interact with
others.
• Physical characteristics, especially skin color and
certain distinctive traits, complexes, and patterns
become badges for social and economic status. They
establish a person’s group’s position in the
stratification system and make up the foundation for
prejudice, discrimination, and other forms of
different treatment.
Social consequences of membership in racial
and ethnic groups

• Furthermore, when an ethnic group becomes a

target of discrimination, such group utilize the
unque physical or cultural traits as the rallying
force for promoting common loyalties and
enhancing collective action (Panopio, p.401).
PATTERNS OF ETHNIC GROUP RELATIONS

• People who occupy a subordinate status are usually called a

minority group.
• Minority group, is on that because of the power of
differences among groups, is singled out for unequal
treatment in the society.
• Minority refers to a group which because of physical or
cultural characteristics, occupies a subordinate position in
the society and subjected to collective discrimination, in
some cases, even segregation, oppression, slavery, peonage,
military subjugation, religious persecution, and economic,
political, educational, and social suppression.
1. Patterns of Racism

• Racism refers to the belief that some human races are

inherently inferior.
a. Prejudice and discrimination have taken in a strongly
negative cast. Prejudice is an emotional pre-judgement
or attitude towards a person or group of people. It
refers to a categorical like or dislike of a group of
people based on real or imagined social characteristics,
usually associated with their race, religion, ethnic
group, sexual orientation, or perhaps occupation.
(Keller, 1987).
1. Patterns of Racism

b. Discrimination refers to the act of disqualifying or

mistreating people on the basis of their group membership
or on ascriptive grounds rationally irrelevant to the
situation. Whereas prejudice is a state of mind,
discrimination is actual behavior.

Prejudice and discrimination work hard in hand to create

and sustain racial and ethnic stratification.
(Jarry J. 1987).
THEORIES OF PREJUDICE

Light (1985) gives the following explanations on the origin of prejudice:

1. Economic theory - assumes that racial prejudice is a social attitude
transmitted by the dominant ethnic majority class.
2. Symbolic theory – asserts that prejudice arises because a racial or ethnic
group is a symbol of what people hate, fear, or envy.
3. Scapegoat theory – maintains that human beings are reluctant to accept
their mistakes for their troubles and failure so they look for an ethnic –
minority to shoulder the blame.
4. Social norm theory – asserts that ethnocentrism is a natural development
of group of living. Hatred and suspicion for the out-group are standard
and normal way of doing things particularly in dealing with people.
1. Patterns of Racism

• Prejudice is manifested by one-sided arguments and

judgements, a ready acceptance of false ideas about group,
and the inflexibility with which judgments and ideas are
upheld.
• Prejudice is learned through social interaction with other. It
is not biologically inherited but is transmitted through
primary and secondary means of communication.
c. Stereotypes are often simplified and unsupported
generalizations about other and are used indiscriminately for
all cases.
2. Patterns of Competition, Conflict and
Domination

As pointed out in the process of

ethnocentrism, people tend to view their
own way of life, including their behavior,
beliefs, values and norms, as they judge
others by these standards.
3. Economic and Political Subjugation

• Colonialism – the economic takeover of one nation by a

more powerful one and the subsequent political and
social domination of the native population.
• Military colonialism – takeover of one nation is through
military and superiority of the more powerful one for the
purpose of territorial expansion and establishing
colonies.
• Neocolonialism or economic imperialism – takeover is
made through the great technological superiority of the
more powerful one, the institutionalization of their
business in their former resources and many more.