Introduction to Sociology Lecture 20 – Race, Ethnicity and Race Relations

1. Introduction to Sociology Lecture 20 – Race, Ethnicity and Race Relations Phua Kai Lit, PhD ADTP Sunway University

2. Lecture Objectives • Ethnicity versus “race” • Social construction of “race” • Thomas’ theorem • Prejudice and discrimination • Robert K. Merton’s model of prejudice and discrimination • Stereotype • Minority Groups • The “racialized other” i.e. non-whites in USA (African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans) • Institutional racism • Apartheid in South Africa • Ethnicity and racial classification in Malaysia

3. Ethnicity versus “Race” • “Race” – the idea that people can be classified into different groups and that this is biologically-based. • Ethnicity – favored by social scientists. Socially constructed. Can come into being, evolve and even disappear completely. • Ethnic minorities tend to be worse off than the majority --- health, education, poverty, unemployment, underemployment (3D jobs) • Even their cultures and values can be stigmatised and denigrated (especially indigenous peoples) • Orang Asli in Malaysia, Native Americans in USA, First Nations peoples in Canada, Aborigines in Australia.

4. Social construction of “race” • Racial classifications are man-made • Malaya/Malaysia – in past government census of local population, there were “races” such as Javanese, Boyanese, Banjarese, Bugis etc • South Africa – coloureds • USA – “one drop” rule to determine who is “black” • China – the “Han Chinese”

5. W.I. Thomas Thomas’ theorem: If people believe a particular phenomenon to be real (even if it actually untrue), it would be real in its consequences Example: the belief that there is such a thing as (biologically-based) “race”. Resulted in racism, discrimination, even genocide.

6. Prejudice and Discrimination • Prejudice – beliefs and attitudes (negative) toward members of a particular social group. Example: “dishonest”, “drunks”, “lazy”, “stupid”, “thieves”, “primitive” • Discrimination – actual behavior applied to them

7. Robert K. Merton’s model of prejudice and discrimination • Active bigot • Fair weather liberal • Timid bigot • All weather liberal

8. Stereotype Generalizations (usually biased or unfavorable) that are applied indiscriminately to all members of a particular group. Ignore individual differences Example: stereotypes of blacks in America, stereotypes of Roma (“Gypsy”) in Central and Eastern Europe Scapegoat – blamed for problems of the society 8

9. Minority Group • Unequal treatment for minority group members • Possess distinct physical or cultural traits • Involuntary membership in the group • Members are aware of their subordination • In-group marriage rates are high • “Boundary maintenance” by majority group members versus “passing” by some minority group individuals 9

10. The “racialized other’ (African-American, Hispanic American, Asian-American, Native American) Racial profiling by police Stereotypes of black Americans, Asian-Americans, Native Americans White Privilege in the USA? Ethnicity and race relations in USA

11. Policies and procedures built into formal institutions that effectively discriminate against people of particular “racial” groups e.g. literacy test before one can vote in the USA (in the past) So-called “separate but equal” education in USA in the past Environmental racism – dumping hazardous wastes in low income neighborhoods (i.e. black or Hispanic neighborhoods) In Singapore, Mandarin language requirement is often explicitly stated for job applicants Institutional racism

12. Right-wing government came to power in 1948 Began implementing apartheid (apartness, separate-ness) policies that favored the white minority and which heavily discriminated against blacks, coloureds, Asians Segregated hospitals and schools Job discrimination, Whites-only residential areas Bantustans Pass laws Laws against inter-racial sex and marriage Apartheid in South Africa (1948-1994)

13. West Malaysia: Malay, Chinese, Indian, Orang Asli East Malaysia: Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Kadazandusun, Chinese, Sino, etc “Bumiputera” Who is a “Malay”? Who is a “Bumiputera”? Affirmative action (positive discrimination) Ethnicity and race relations in Malaysia

14. Discrimination Segregation Expulsion – so-called “ethnic cleansing” Genocide Health (including mental health), education, jobs held, poverty, housing, incarceration, other social problems e.g. substance abuse, violence (including suicide) Effects and Outcomes

15. Available on YouTube: Excellent BBC series called “The History of Racism” (you should watch Episode 2 especially) Video

16. Thank You