Racial and Ethnic Stratification 04 01 2014 Overview Key Concepts Key Concepts Racial Ethnic Composition of the U S Racial group groupings based on social significant physical characteristics and beliefs about common ancestry Ethnic groups groupings based on common geographic origin and distinctive cultural characteristics language religion dress and other customs Social Construction of Race Ethnicity Social factors history culture politics economics etc have a major role in shaping the meaning of race These characterizations have a profound social significance o Example The one drop rule if you had one drop of a different race you were considered to be that race Race and ethnicity are ascribed statuses Race and ethnicity are often seen as master statuses Racial and ethnic statuses can have profound impacts on life chances social inequality o Reflect differences in group power and other dimensions of Minority groups group whose members are somehow distinct or separate from the dominant majority group o Not necessarily a numerical question o Question of the social significance of group membership and what that implies for stratification question of power Race and Ethnicity in the United States Definitions used by the U S Census reflect social construction of Racial and ethnic definitions used by the Census have changed over race and ethnicity time o Mulatto last appeared in 1920 o Hispanic added in 1970 o Option to claim multiracial heritage added in 2000 2011 White non Hispanic 63 African American 13 Hispanic 17 Asian 5 Native American 1 2100 projected White non Hispanic 40 African American 13 Hispanic 33 Asian 14 Native American 1 White Americans Refers to people with origins in Europe Middle East or North Africa Traditionally the racial ethnic majority group in the United States numerically and otherwise African Americans Traditionally the largest racial ethnic minority group in the United States Native Americans Contemporary inequality rooted in the historical legacy of slavery Jim Crowe and other forms of discrimination Native Americans represent a diverse array of tribal cultures Increasing numbers are claiming Native American identity though shrinking as a share of national population Historical legacy of forced migration and the reservation system Asian Americans One of the fastest growing race ethnic groups in the United States Growth being fueled by immigration Encompass a wide array of nationalities Hispanic Latino Americans Recently became the largest racial ethnic minority group in the United States half of all population growth since 2000 Mexican Americans are the largest Latino group Approximately half of the Hispanic population resides in just two states but this is changing rapidly Immigrants Greater numbers immigrating to the United States today than in any previous period in history o Approximately 10 of the U S population is foreign born immigrants and their kids are approximately 20 o Primarily from Latin America and Asia o Mostly legal but illegal immigration is a growing concern approximately 12 million here illegally In Sum society The United States is an increasingly racially and ethnically diverse This really has major implications for how race ethnic group contours are defined and negotiated including questions of social stratification 04 01 2014