Prejudice

1. Prejudice Part 2 Slides-pgs 57-78

2. Stereotypes and Sport Team Names • Are college and professional teams who use mascots patterned after American Indians “honoring” American Indians? • Webster’s dictionary defines term Redskin: “American Indian usually taken to be offensive” • Should the Washington pro NFL team change their name as many other college teams and professional teams have done recently?

3. Color Blind Racism • A term Coined by modern race scholar Eduardo Bonilla Silva • Refers to the use of race neutral principles to defend the racially unequal status quo • Assuming we live in a color blind society perpetuates inequality • In public debates on social issues, race is rarely spoken of explicitly-Instead people use social class , citizenship, or criminal labels to substitute for race • People will use race neutral terms while supporting policies that are potentially racist or treat groups unequally • “I’m not racist, it’s just that black people commit more crime so it’s ok to make streets safer by racially profiling” • It’s not that I’m Islamophobic, I just think Arab Americans should be frisked before getting on a plane” • “No, I have a lot of Mexican friends. I just think they should be a citizen to get their education here”. • O’Reilly Video

4. W.E.B Du Bois: The Veil • The Mood of the Oppressed • Many members of subordinate groups report feeling at some point that society may be treating them differently, which can lead to feelings of contempt towards all whites • Much traditional research never measured non white attitudes on racial issues

5. Research on Racial Outlooks • Latinos, African Americans, and Asian Americans all have reservations about state of race relations in U.S compared to whites • Is racial tension a problem? • Is there equal opportunity? • Does the CJS favor the rich? • Is there lots of discrimination against your community? • All three groups have a positive outlook towards future • Why?

6. If you feel you are treated unequally by people, if you have been a victim of racial profiling, if you have suffered from forms of discrimination, can this cause self hate? Low self esteem? Negative self-fulfilling prophecies? • Relates to internalized homophobia and high rates of attempted suicide of gay teens • Many scholars are interested in the affect of prejudice and discrimination on one’s identity, self esteem, and quality of life? • Racial Profiling video

7. Do many African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latinos hold prejudicial and stereotypical views towards other racial and ethnic minorities?

8. Intergroup Hostility • National surveys reveal relatively high levels of prejudice among racial and ethnic minorities • Some groups feel they get along better with certain groups than others • Charts on pg 64 • What foster’s intergroup hostility? • Conflict theory and class consciousness • How does intergroup hostility work against fighting equality?

9. Karl Marx and Class Consciousness • Class and racial stratification exist because individuals and groups in power dominate and exploit others • Do individuals in dominant groups have any interest in changing the system? • Conflict and inequality are inherent in a capitalist system because the powerful will use coercion to maintain the status quo, and most people buy into the system • This is made possible because workers in the lower classes remain exploited and oppressed blinded by a false consciousness • What did Marx believe would happen in order to change the system and inequality under capitalism?=Class Consciousness • I.e.: Wealth Inequality • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX-V_a8H6y8

10. Economic Inequality in the U.S.

11. Why do Americans tolerate such massive concentrations of income and wealth? Why do Americans tolerate continued racial inequality? • Are the richest Americans the hardest working? • Do white families with vastly more wealth than the average minority family work harder?

12. How does all this relate to racial inequality • Conflict theory can be used to understand racial inequality and specifically intergroup hostility • Intergroup hostility results from competition among groups in capitalist society • From a Marxist perspective, many individuals in the middle and lower class are blinded by a false consciousness, believing that the system is not at fault, rather they just need to work harder to obtain the American dream • So there is often no critical analysis of problems with the system itself • Who does this continue to benefit=Those in society with power and privilege who have no vested interest in changing the status quo

13. Reducing Prejudice • The Education System • Research studies show that well structured programs can reduce prejudice? • But what are the difficulties? • Studies show that with increased formal education, racial tolerance increases and prejudice decreases. • Why

14. The Media • What role can the media play in reducing prejudice • Underrepresentation • 40% of youths in America are people of color, but minorities are highly underrepresented in media, especially in non stereotypical roles • Why? Who are in the key decision making positions in the media business? • Stereotypes in table 2.2-Page 68

15. Is prejudice reduced when people interact with others outside of their race? • The contact hypothesis • Intergroup contact with people of equal status in a harmonious environment will reduce prejudice and stereotypical beliefs • Does this situation occur? • In school • In work • In sports

16. What can we do as individuals? • Choose you battles • Stay vigilant • Spread awareness • Dig deeper and be aware of color blind racism • Remember that the positive changes that have occurred in the past have all been built off the backs of small coalitions and grassroots movements