🥨Intro to Ethnic Studies Unit 6 – Prejudice, Stereotypes & Discrimination

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Prejudice involves preconceived opinions or attitudes about a particular group not based on reason or actual experience
• Stereotypes consist of oversimplified and generalized beliefs about the characteristics of a particular group
• Discrimination refers to the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, or disability
• Implicit bias includes unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions
• In-group favoritism tends to occur when people give preferential treatment to others they perceive to be members of their own groups
• Out-group homogeneity happens when people view members of other groups as more similar to one another than members of their own group (outgroup)
• Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group
  • Racism can occur at individual, institutional, and systemic levels

Historical Context

• Slavery and colonialism played significant roles in the development and perpetuation of racist ideologies and structures
• Scientific racism emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries, attempting to justify racial hierarchies and discrimination through pseudoscientific theories
  • Phrenology and eugenics were used to promote the idea of inherent racial differences and superiorities
• Jim Crow laws in the United States institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination following the abolition of slavery
• The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s fought against racial discrimination and segregation, leading to landmark legislation (Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965)
• Historical events and policies (Chinese Exclusion Act, Japanese internment during WWII) demonstrate the long-standing presence of prejudice and discrimination in American society
• The legacy of historical oppression and discrimination continues to impact marginalized communities today through systemic inequalities and disparities

Types and Forms of Prejudice

• Racial prejudice involves negative attitudes or beliefs about individuals based on their race or ethnicity
• Gender prejudice includes biases and discrimination based on a person's gender identity or expression
  • Sexism, misogyny, and transphobia are forms of gender prejudice
• Religious prejudice consists of unfavorable opinions or treatment of individuals due to their religious beliefs or affiliations
• Ageism is prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person's age, often targeting older individuals
• Ableism refers to discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities or who are perceived to have disabilities
• Xenophobia involves fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers, often leading to discrimination against immigrants and ethnic minorities
• Classism is prejudice or discrimination based on social or economic class
• Homophobia and heterosexism are forms of prejudice against individuals who identify as LGBTQ+

Psychological Factors

• Social identity theory suggests that people categorize themselves and others into various social groups, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group bias
• Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and availability heuristic, can contribute to the formation and maintenance of prejudicial attitudes
• Stereotyping serves as a cognitive shortcut, allowing people to make quick judgments about others based on limited information
  • Stereotypes can be positive or negative and are often resistant to change, even in the face of contradictory evidence
• Scapegoating occurs when a group or individual is unfairly blamed for problems or issues, often as a result of prejudice or discrimination
• Fear and anxiety can exacerbate prejudicial attitudes, particularly when people feel threatened by perceived differences or changes in society
• Socialization and learned behavior play a significant role in the development of prejudicial attitudes, as individuals internalize messages from family, peers, media, and society

Societal Impact

• Prejudice and discrimination can lead to social, economic, and health disparities among marginalized groups
• Stereotyping and bias can result in unequal access to education, employment, housing, and healthcare
• Hate crimes, violence, and harassment targeting marginalized communities are often rooted in prejudice and discrimination
• Microaggressions, subtle and often unintentional expressions of bias, can have cumulative negative effects on the mental health and well-being of targeted individuals
• Systemic and institutional discrimination perpetuates inequalities and creates barriers to social mobility and advancement for marginalized groups
• Prejudice and discrimination can contribute to social division, conflict, and unrest, undermining social cohesion and progress

Intersectionality

• Intersectionality recognizes that individuals can experience multiple, overlapping forms of oppression and discrimination based on their various identities (race, gender, class, sexuality, etc.)
• Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term "intersectionality" to describe the unique experiences of Black women, who face both racism and sexism
• Intersectional analysis examines how different forms of discrimination and oppression interact and compound one another
  • For example, a low-income, disabled woman of color may face heightened barriers and discrimination compared to a white, able-bodied man
• Intersectionality highlights the importance of considering the complex and multifaceted nature of identity and oppression
• An intersectional approach to addressing prejudice and discrimination acknowledges that one-size-fits-all solutions may not effectively address the unique challenges faced by different marginalized groups

Addressing and Reducing Bias

• Awareness and education about prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination are crucial for promoting understanding and change
• Diversity and inclusion initiatives can help create more equitable and representative environments in workplaces, schools, and communities
• Intergroup contact and dialogue can reduce prejudice by fostering empathy, understanding, and positive interactions between diverse groups
• Bias training and workshops can help individuals recognize and mitigate their own implicit biases
• Allyship and advocacy involve using one's privilege and platform to support and amplify the voices of marginalized communities
• Systemic and institutional changes, such as policies that promote equity and address discrimination, are necessary for long-term progress
• Encouraging critical thinking and media literacy can help individuals challenge stereotypes and biases perpetuated by media and society

Current Issues and Case Studies

• Police brutality and racial profiling disproportionately impact communities of color, as highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement
• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities and has led to increased discrimination against Asian Americans due to stereotypes and misinformation
• Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment have risen in the aftermath of 9/11 and continue to manifest in discriminatory policies and hate crimes
• The #MeToo movement has brought attention to the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and assault, particularly in the workplace
• Transgender individuals face high rates of discrimination, violence, and barriers to accessing healthcare and other services
• Environmental racism refers to the disproportionate exposure of communities of color to pollutants, hazardous waste, and other environmental harms
• The wealth gap between white households and households of color persists, reflecting the ongoing impact of historical and systemic discrimination
• Efforts to ban critical race theory and limit discussions of racism and discrimination in schools have sparked debates about education and free speech