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Race Chapter and Ethnic Relations
by Vic Satzewich
Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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THE FIELD DEFINED
Sociology of race and ethnic relations: Concerns primarily study of how power and resources are unequally distributed among racial and ethnic groups Questions raised in field include: What are conditions under which ethnic and racial groups come into contact? Which ethnic and racial groups hold power in society? How do they exercise power? What are social consequences of unequal distribution of Nelson, a divisionand resources?* power of Thomson Canada Limited. Copyright 2008 by
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ETHNICITY: THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF DIFFERENCE
Misguided assumption that race and ethnicity are ascribed statuses rather than achieved statuses (i.e., statuses acquired by virtue of social definition) Ethnicity may be defined in two ways: Objectively (by group language, culture, customs, national origin, and ancestry) Subjectively (by self-identification of group members)*
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i. i.
TOP 25 ETHNIC ORIGINS IN CANADA, 2001
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PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION
Prejudice Unfavourable, generalized and rigid belief applied to all members of a group Discrimination Practices that deny members of particular groups equal access to societal rewards*
Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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RACE: THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF DIFFERENCE
Race: Socially constructed label used to describe certain kinds of physical differences between people Genetic differences between racial groups are arbitrary, small, and behaviourally insignificant Despite social construction, race and ethnicity are important parts of our social reality Many continue to believe in existence of race Copyright ethnicity division of Thomson Canada Limited. and 2008 by Nelson, a and organize their 8-6
RACISM
Racism Biological versions refer to belief that: Humans are subdivided into distinct hereditary groups that are innately different in social behaviour and mental capacities, and Can be ranked as superior or inferior But claims for inherent superiority or inferiority discredited*
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THE NEW RACISM
New racism Theory of human nature that suggests it is natural for groups to form bounded communities One group neither better nor worse than the other, but feelings of antagonism will be aroused if outsiders admitted*
Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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PERCEPTIONS OF DISCRIMINATION BY GENERATION AND VISIBLE MINORITY STATUS, CANADA, 2002
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INSTITUTIONAL RACISM
Institutional racism Discriminatory racial practices built into the structure of politics, economic life, and education Are three forms: Institutional practices based on explicitly racist ideas (e.g., Chinese people excluded from certain jobs and denied right to vote until 1947)*
i.
Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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INSTITUTIONAL RACISM
i. Institutional practices that arose from - but are no longer sustained by - racist ideas (e.g., in 1960s, black workers from Caribbean admitted to work on southern Ontario farms)
i.
Institutional practices that sometimes unintentionally exclude certain groups through seemingly neutral rules, regulations, and procedures Examples: Systemic discrimination found in racial profilinga in policing, and height Copyright 2008 by Nelson, division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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THEORIES OF RACE AND ETHNIC RELATIONS
Four main approaches to explaining conflict among racial and ethnic groups:
1. Social psychological approaches 1. Primordialism 1. Normative theories 1. Power-conflict theories*
Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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1. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES
Focus on how prejudice and racism satisfy psychic needs of certain people Example: Frustration-aggression theory Explains prejudice and racism as forms of hostility that arise from people frustrated in efforts to achieve goals Racial and ethnic groups become safe targets (i.e., scapegoats) of displaced aggression Limitation: Does not specify circumstances that lead to aggression, or why some
Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 8-13
2. PRIMORDIAL THEORIES
Suggest ethnic attachments reflect innate tendency of people to seek out and associate with their own kind Example: Sociobiology Prejudice and discrimination stem from our innate tendency to be nepotistic Ethnic prejudice and racism are ways of maintaining social boundaries Limitation: Cannot explain intragroup conflict or intergroup harmony*
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3. NORMATIVE THEORIES
Focus on how prejudices are transmitted through socialization and social circumstances that compel discriminatory behaviour Example: Socialization approach Focuses on how we are taught ethnic and racial stereotypes , prejudices, and attitudes by families, peer groups, and mass media Argue that prejudice and attitudes are learned through social interaction Limitation: Unable to explain how prejudicial ideas, attitudes, and practices first arise* Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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4. POWER-CONFLICT THEORIES
Stress how ethnic and racial conflict derives from distribution of power in society Orthodox Marxism Argues racism is ideology used by capitalists to mystify social reality and justify intense exploitation of minority and immigrant workers
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Racist ideas used to create artificial divisions in working class, thereby quelling formation of class consciousness (threat to
Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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4. POWER-CONFLICT THEORIES
1. Split labour market theory Racial and ethnic conflict rooted in differences in price of labour Argues employers try to replace highpaid white workers with low paid nonwhite workers High-paid workers try to protect own interests by limiting capitalists access to cheaper nonwhite workers Suggests individual racism, ethnic prejudice, and institutional racism Copyright from intergroup conflict * emerge 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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4. POWER-CONFLICT THEORIES
(Split labour market theory) Maintains prejudicial ideas and discriminatory behaviour are ways of socially marginalizing minority groups that dominant group views as threats to their position of power and privilege Recommends looking beyond individual personalities and sociobiological processes and analyze processes of economic, social, and political competition among groups* a division of Thomson Canada Limited. Copyright 2008 by Nelson, 8-18
ABORIGINAL PEOPLES
Aboriginal peoples in Canada Include Indians, Inuit, and Mtis Indian (or status or registered Indians): Refers to those recognized as Indians according to federal governments Indian Act Mtis: Either descendants of historic Mtis, or anyone of mixed EuropeanIndian ancestry who self-defines as Mtis, and whose self-definition is accepted by other Mtis Inuit: Diverse group of people who have lived for centuries north of the tree line*
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EXPLANATIONS OF ABORIGINAL CONDITIONS
Aboriginal peoples are the most socially and economically disadvantaged groups in Canada Three explanations for social and economic disadvantage:
1. The governments view 1. The culture of poverty thesis 1. Conflict theory*
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ABORIGINAL PEOPLES: 1. THE GOVERNMENT VIEW
Poverty linked to state efforts to forcibly Europeanize and Christianize Aboriginal peoples and culture: Premised on belief that Indian culture was inferior to European culture Governments legislative, regulatory, and educational approach view reflected that inequality, poverty, and poor social conditions were rooted in Aboriginal cultural and racial inferiority*
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ABORIGINAL PEOPLES: 2. THE CULTURE OF POVERTY THESIS
Poverty linked to Aboriginal culture that does not value capitalist work ethic, economic success, materialism, and achievement Argument criticized for confusing effect with cause: Aboriginal people born into certain situations in life and adopt values and attitudes 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. consistent with their life-chances* Copyright 8-22
ABORIGINAL PEOPLES: 3. CONFLICT THEORY
Internal colonial model: Analyzes problem of inequality in terms of power imbalances and exploitation of Aboriginal peoples by white society Argues misuse of state power (e.g. landclaim disputes) and paternalistic federal laws (e.g., Indian Act) have disempowered Aboriginal peoples by fostering social marginality and dependence Model criticized for tendency to overgeneralize about conditions of Copyright Aboriginal2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. peoples in Canada*
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ABORIGINAL PEOPLES: CLASS AND GENDER DIVERSITY
Aboriginal peoples not homogeneous socioeconomic group but divided by both gender and class privilege Feminist theorists note lack of gender equality is concern of many Aboriginal women Conflict theorists note political and economic implications of socioeconomic differentiation within Aboriginal communities (e.g., control of land-claim settlements by small ruling elites)
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QUEBEC: NATIONALISM AND IDENTITY
Following 1763 conquest of New France by Britain, anglophone elite became new colonizing power of what is now Quebec Gradually took over economic and political affairs of Quebec French Canadians in Quebec (who formed numerical majority) were more disadvantaged materially than anglophone minority*
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QUEBEC: NATIONALISM AND IDENTITY
Mid 20th century witnessed rise of new francophone middle class of technical workers and professionals Facing blocked mobility due to English control of economic institutions, members pushed for expansion and modernization of Quebec state Found expression in the Quiet Revolution of 1960s: Social, political, and cultural changes that Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 8-26
QUEBEC: NATIONALISM AND IDENTITY
Support for contemporary sovereignty movement comes from variety of groups who identify Qubcois as a colonized and exploited people Groups also have differing views of how best to maintain their language and culture: Moderates want to strengthen Quebecs position within the federal system, while radicals are for own state* Canada Limited. Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson 8-27
WHO IS QUBCOIS?
Population of Quebec is ethnically heterogeneous Nations comprised of imaginary communities in terms of physical and social boundaries that define group membership Symbolic boundaries of what defines Qubcois are articulated differently:
i. Civic nationalists All those who now reside in Quebec i. Ethnic nationalists Only those who share a common history, culture, ancestry,
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IMMIGRATION: STATE FORMATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
In 2001, immigrants represented 18.4% of Canadas population (percentage greater in large cities) Migration has been feature of Canadian history for over 300 years Immigrants contributed to formation of capitalist state Immigrants continue to make important contributions to social reproduction of Canadian society
Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 8-29
SIX FACTORS THAT SHAPE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION
1. Social class: Most immigrants are admitted to Canada because of Canadas economic needs and interests 1. Ethnic and racial stereotypes: Exaggerated, oversimplified images of characteristics of certain groups Prior to 1962, Canadian immigration policy had racialized hierarchy of desirability*
Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 8-30
SIX FACTORS THAT SHAPE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION
1. Variety of geopolitical considerations (stemming from Canadas relationships with other countries) Racist selection criteria removed from immigration regulations in 1960s, partly because they interfered with Canadian diplomacy 1. Humanitarianism: Immigrants and refugees accepted partly on humanitarian and compassionate Copyright 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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SIX FACTORS THAT SHAPE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION
1. Public opinion: Difficult to determine though given no one voice of Canadians regarding immigr...