Chapter Nine: Race and Ethnicity

Race

Race is a group of people that have similar physical traits that are different from other groups. These traits can include skin color, hair, eye color, size of nose, etc. Society often picks racial categories based on history and treats them differently based on their characteristics. Races can be singled out for unfair treatment.

Ethnicity

Unlike race, ethnicity refers to cultural characteristics rather than physical characteristics. Ethnicity can include your religion, nation, or origin and and often includes music, food, clothing, and language. Ethnic groups do not exist simply because they come from the same culture, but feel an identity with one another because of shared experiences and unique history. Some examples of ethnic groups are Jews, Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, Native Americans and many more.

Dominant Group

A group that has greater power and privilege regardless of their size and holds the goals and values of a society. In the United States, white Protestant males have long been the dominant group. The dominant group often sees itself as superior and can discriminate against others who are different.

Segregation

Segregation is the social separation of people into categories in a society, such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or class. Segregation often causes inequality and restricts the freedoms of groups of people that are not a part of the dominant group. Segregation has occurred throughout history. In the United States, it was prevalent in the Civil Rights era with the segregation of African Americans and whites in schools, restaurants, and other public places.