[ Introduction ] [ Ethnic Studies 101: The Basics ] [ Issues, Theories, and Methodologies ] [ America's Ethnic Groups ] [ Construction of Ethnic Identities ] [ Importance of Ethnic Studies ]
Before one can explore and comprehend the complexities of Ethnic Studies, one must learn the basic, slightly less interesting, concepts that are the foundations and building blocks of the discipline. It is necessary to have a grasp on the following definitions before delving into the world of Ethnic Studies.
Ethnic Group
There are two definitions for the term ethnic group: a narrow definition and a broad definition. The narrow definition states that an ethnic group is a group socially distinguished, by itself or others, on the basis of its unique cultural origin. The broad definition includes culture, nationality, and racial distinctions.
Ethnicity
Ethnicity is defined as an association or identification with an ethnic group.
Race
The physical distinctions, such as skin color, eye color, hair color, etc., used to classify groups of people are know as race.
Ethnic Stratification
Ethnic stratification is defined as the institutionalized divisions that dictate who has the power and wealth and who is on the top of the social hierarchy. For stratification to exist, there must be two or more groups and these groups must come into contact.
Ethnocentrism
The belief that one’s own culture or ethnicity is above or better than all others is known as ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism translates out so that one sees other cultures through one’s own cultural lens.
Prejudice
Prejudice is defined as internal negative opinions, thoughts, and beliefs about a group of people that are not acted upon. These opinions are usually based on insufficient or inaccurate information.
Discrimination
Negative opinions, thoughts, and beliefs that are acted upon are classified as discrimination. More simply, discrimination is treating people differently (usually negatively) because of some ethnic characteristic.
Racism
Racism is defined as a negative opinion, thought, or belief about a group of people based on their race, coupled with the power to put that belief into affect. Basically, racism is prejudice plus power.
[ Introduction ] [ Ethnic Studies 101: The Basics ] [ Issues, Theories, and Methodologies ] [ America's Ethnic Groups ] [ Construction of Ethnic Identities ] [ Importance of Ethnic Studies ]