Reading 8

1. Compare and contrast your racial and ethnic identity with the racial and ethnic identity in one of the countries you have visited.

My racial and ethnic identity would have to an East Indian woman, and I can simply compare my experience of being of East Indian descent to living in a country mostly dominated by

individuals from European descent.  The” West and rest”, would be a great way to express how minority groups in westernized countries usually feel. The West views Eastern ways as

being backwards. Although the West may love the Indian Cuisine or the colourful wardrobe, they always portray themselves as being superior, in subliminal ways. 

2. How are racial and ethnicity identities shaped by modernity,  postmodernism, and multiplicity?

Modernity embraces a set of processes that are inherently globalising “which include the growth and reach of the capitalist economy, the global expansion of state power, and the

development of mass media and communications systems that are global in their reach .Multiplicity in Western cultures means that you have one identity of racial identity

3. Has your racial and ethnic identity shifted as a result of this voyage of discovery?

There’s always room for improvement and I think classes such as these help in eliminating biases and stereotypes.

Reading 7

1. Give good examples of circumstance affects racial and ethnic identity construction.

2. What is the difference between assertion and assignment of racial and ethnic identity?

Assigning race is when an external group labels another group, whereas, asserting race is when groups themselves use race as a way to identify themselves.

3. Is your ethnic identity more thick or thin? What differences does that make?

 “Thick” racial identities influence many aspects of our daily life, whereas “thin” racial identities have little to no impact on our daily life. The difference is that thick identities hold onto cultural and ethnic traditions as being a very important part of their daily lives, whereas thin racial identities follow more of the mainstream culture; diffused sense of ethnic identity.

4. Discuss your experiences in India.

When I’m in Canada I feel as if I have more of a thick ethnic identity, because I feel as if I am trying to keep my cultural and traditions alive. But when I visited India, I felt as if I was ethnically thin, because I wasn’t living the whole experience of what it meant to be Indian; my ethnic sense of cultural instantly diffused.

Reading 6

1 Define prejudice, discrimination, and institutionalized inequality and give good examples from your everyday life of each.

Prejudice: is an irrational, negative attitude about people or groups based on distinguishing features or qualities such as race, gender, age, sexual orientation etc. For instance, usually

elderly white individuals will treat people of color differently, simply due to the fact that they are of color. They will be overly cautious when around people of color for example.

Discrimination: is when one group of people act out against another group (this is carried through violence and intimidation) based on an inaccurate belief about that group/person. An

example of this would be if a female wanted to join a sports team and wasn’t allowed to do so, simple because she was a female.

Institutionalized inequality is when the system gives preferential treatment to one group and not to another. This unequal treatment has nothing to do with actual skill or level of

competence but simply that they prefer one person or group over another. For example, in big corporations, such as Coast Capital Savings, the top people are all white males, white

females, than minority males and finally minority women. It just happens to be that all of the white males and females are at the top of the institution.

2. Are positive stereotypes, like all Asians are good at math, all blacks can jump, ever be negative? Why or why not?

There is no such thing as positive stereotypes, because stereotypes limit peoples capability of expressing themselves as unique individuals.

3. Does prejudice exist in every racial grouping? Why or why not?

Prejudice does exist in every racial group, because race is a very strong part of society and every culture. Something that’s unknown to us, we make sense by creating divisions.

 Ethnocentrism exists in every ethnic group, and each group thinks they are superior than the other; creating prejudice.

4. Does every racial group discriminate? Why or why not?

Ethnocentrism also leaves room for discriminating, by making one’s own ethnic group as being superior compared to others. Individuals may favor one’s own group compared to

another.

5. When are racial groups racist?

Just like the saying, “the oppressed oppresses”, racialized groups also racialize other minority groups. They may use stereotypes as a way of  viewing and describing a particular group

Reading 5

1 If race and ethnicity is understood to be socially constructed, what difference would it make in our social life?

If race and ethnicity were to be understand as being socially constructed, there would be less divisions; no hierarchy;  perhaps more people of color would be granted better opportunities;

and perhaps there would be a decrease in poverty.

2. Explain the difference between assigning race and ethnicity and asserting it. How is that difference observable in our everyday lives?

Assigning race is when an external group labels another group, whereas, asserting race is when groups themselves use race as a way to identify themselves. Stereotypes of various race and

ethnicities are implemented throughout our daily lives. If at advantage, individuals will confirm with the racial stereotypes, as a way of expressing themselves.

Reading 4

 

1. What differences does it make historically that there have been different theories on the evolution of race?

The fact that there have been countless theories created, trying to explain the evolution of race simply verifies that race is manmade. There hasn’t been a single theory, which has explained how races are different and superior to one another.  Theories have just weakened the argument.

2. What are the social impacts of understanding race as biologically based or socially constructed?

The social impacts of understanding race as biologically based or socially constructed are a result of societies need for hierarchy. The social construct of race, allows individuals to implement a social pyramid, in which they prosper at the cost of others.

3. What kinds of mistakes are made in understanding the differences in race and ethnicity? What are the social consequences of these kinds of mistakes?

By mistaking race and ethnicity as one single entity, individuals continue to keep negative stereotypes alive.

 

 

Reading 3

1.  Is race socially constructed? Before you read the assigned article, did you believe that biological races are real? Did the article change your opinion about the biological basis of race?

Race is socially constructed. Before reading the article, I did in a sense believe that biological races were real, but after reading the article It has changed my way of viewing such things.

2. If race is socially constructed, why do most people in the US believe it is biological and act accordingly?

Race isn’t real but it exists. People have made race a reality and thus, they act accordingly to keep it alive. Also, many people don’t aren’t educated and lack the common knowledge or

realizing that it is a manmade entity. Humans have twisted many theories as a way of making sense of these divisions created amongst different people, but the theories don’t possess

concrete evidence.

3. Is there a race gene? Has science proven the biological components of race?

There is no such thing as a race gene. Science has not been able to prove biological components of race; all humans share 96.8% of the same genetic matieral. Underneath our skin, we

are all African.

 

Reading 2

1. How are qualitative and quantitative research different? What different purposes do they serve and what is the value and limitations of each?

Qualitative research examines subjects in their natural setting, so there is no experimental effect, but the researcher has no control over the confounding variables in the environment. Whereas, quantitative research allows the researcher to study the subject in a controlled environment, but this may create an unnatural environment.

2. Why are we using qualitative research to study race and ethnicity?

WE are using qualitative research to study race and ethnicity, because we need to understand both how people interpret and negotiate their lives in ethnic or racial ways and how larger historical and social forces organize the arenas and terms in which those people act, encouraging or discouraging the interpretations they make, facilitating some forms of organizations and actions and hindering others.

3. Why is informed consent important?

Informed consent is important, because it is the process of understanding the risks and benefits of treatment. It is important because every individual has the right to make decisions about his or her own health.

 

Reading 1

1. How does sociology understand race and ethnicity?

Sociologists understand race and ethnicity as social as social constructs; created by society itself. Racism isn’t real, but society makes it real, because it does exist. Race is not biological or psychological, it is simply an illusion.

2. How does a sociological imagination help in understanding race and ethnicity?

The sociological imagination allows us to understand that human beings are all interconnected. Our physical actions and psychological thought processes impacts every individual around the world.

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