Patterns of Racial & Ethnic RelationsProfessor Christine Monnier

What are patterns of racial & ethnic relations? Regular ways in which the dominant group treats the subordinate group(s):

SegregationPATTERNS OF RACIAL / ETHNIC RELATIONS

Segregation The practice of separating people socially and spatially based on race and / or ethnicity.

Segregation is imposed upon the minority(ies) by the dominant group.

United States before the Civil Rights (p.211)

South Africa’s apartheid system

Segregation – The Macro View Segregation is a system

Segregation inscribed in the law: de jure segregation

Segregation in fact: de facto segregation

Segregation – The Macro View

Discrimination Discrimination involves actions or practices of dominant-group members (or their representatives) that have a harmful effect on members of a subordinate group.

DiscriminationIndividual: one-on-one acts by members of the dominant group that harm members of the subordinate group or their property.

Institutional: the day-to-day practices of organizations and institutions that have a harmful effect on members of subordinate groups.

DiscriminationMerton’s Typology of attitude v. behavior Prejudiced Attitude?

Yes No

Discriminatory Behavior?

Yes Prejudiced discriminator Unprejudiced discriminator

No Prejudiced non-discriminator

Unprejudiced non-discriminator

Discrimination Joe Feagin’s four major types of discrimination:

1. Isolate discrimination2. Small-group discrimination3. Direct institutionalized

discrimination4. Indirect institutionalized

discrimination

Segregation – The Micro View Prejudice

Stereotype

Micro-aggressions

Interpersonal violence

Social control

Social sanctions

Stereotype Overgeneralizations about the appearance, behavior, or other characteristics of members of particular categories.

Prejudice A prejudice is a negative attitude based on faulty generalizations about members of specific racial, ethnic, or other groups.

Racism Racism is a set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices that is used to justify the superior treatment of one racial or ethnic group and the inferior treatment of another racial or ethnic group.

Macro + Micro = Structural Violence

Structural violence

Concept coined by Prof. Johann Galtung

Refers to the multiple ways in which social structures deprive individuals of the means of achieving their needs and aspirations.

Contrast to interpersonal violence.

Structural violence produces worse social outcomes for its victims.

Structural Violence There is no benign segregation.

No “separate but equal” is possible in a structurally violent system.

Structural violence includes interpersonal violence.

System lasts longer than individuals.

Social structures can persist even when belief systems are less prevalent.

The effects persist over generations.

De facto segregation.