Race & Ethnicity: Crash Course Sociology #34

Summary

This script explores the complex nature of race as a social construct, emphasizing its fluidity and cultural dependence. It distinguishes between race and ethnicity, highlighting how physical traits are inconsistently applied in racial categorization. The script delves into historical and contemporary racial definitions, the 'one-drop' rule, and the evolving perception of racial and ethnic groups in the US Census, illustrating the dynamic and often contentious relationship between societal constructs and identity.

Takeaways

• 📚 Race is a social construct based on biological traits that a society deems important, not just the color of one's skin.
• 🌞 Skin color is not a definitive marker of race; a tan does not change a person's racial identity, and light-skinned Black individuals may not be significantly darker than some tanned White individuals.
• 🌐 The concept of race varies by culture and time, with different societies and historical periods defining racial groups in different ways.
• 🏷️ The 'one-drop' rule in the United States exemplifies the inconsistent application of physical traits in racial classification, where any African ancestry classifies a person as Black.
• 🔄 The definition and perception of race and ethnicity have evolved over time, with terms like 'White' encompassing a broader range of ethnicities today than in the past.
• 🧬 Ethnicity is distinguished from race by being based on cultural traits such as language, traditions, and religion, rather than strictly biological ones.
• 🌍 The terms 'Hispanic', 'Latino', and 'Latin American' highlight the complexity of racial and ethnic categorization, with 'Hispanic' referring to a linguistic heritage and not a race.
• 🔄 Race and ethnicity influence social outcomes and power dynamics, but the advantaged or disadvantaged status of a group can vary by context.
• 🏛 Sociologists define a minority as a group set apart and subordinated by society due to physical or cultural differences, irrespective of group size.
• 🌱 The US Census recognizes six racial categories, reflecting a dynamic and changing understanding of race that includes White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and Some Other Race.
• 🌟 The concept of race is not fixed but is fluid and subject to change as societal notions of race and ethnicity evolve.

Q & A

What is the primary focus when defining race based on the script?

The primary focus when defining race is on physical appearances such as skin color, hair, and body structures, but these criteria can vary depending on the culture.

Why is skin color not a clear-cut distinction between races?

Skin color is not a clear-cut distinction between races because it can vary widely within races and can be influenced by factors such as sun exposure, without changing a person's race.

How is race described as a social construct in the script?

Race is described as a social construct because it is used to categorize people based on biological traits that a society deems important, rather than inherent biological differences.

What is the 'one-drop' rule mentioned in the script, and how does it illustrate the inconsistency of racial categorization?

The 'one-drop' rule is a historical concept in the United States where any amount of African American ancestry was enough to classify a person as Black. It illustrates the inconsistency of racial categorization because it does not apply the same standard to classify someone as White.

How does the script differentiate between race and ethnicity?

The script differentiates race as a social construct based on biological traits deemed important by society, while ethnicity is based on shared cultural heritage such as language, traditions, and religion.

What is the difference between the terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latin American as discussed in the script?

Hispanic refers to those with Spanish-speaking country heritage, Latino refers to people from Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries in the Americas south of the United States, and Latin American is a broader term for people from Latin America, including those from Brazil where Portuguese is spoken.

Why are Cameron Diaz and Rosario Dawson both considered Hispanic but of different races?

Cameron Diaz and Rosario Dawson are both considered Hispanic because they are of Cuban American descent, but they are of different races because race is determined by physical traits and Diaz is white while Dawson is Black.

How does the script explain the concept of a minority-majority state?

A minority-majority state is one where a minority race makes up the majority of the population. The script explains that even if a group is a majority in terms of size, they can still be a minority in terms of power and advantage.

What are the six different categories of race used by the US Census as mentioned in the script?

The six categories are White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and Some Other Race.

How does the script define the term 'minority' in a sociological context?

In a sociological context, a minority is defined as any category of people distinguished by physical or cultural difference that a society sets apart and subordinates, focusing on their lower status and less access to societal power rather than their size.

What is the significance of the script's discussion on the changing definitions of race and ethnicity over time?

The significance is to highlight that racial and ethnic categories are not fixed but are defined by societies and can evolve to incorporate changing societal notions and understandings of race and ethnicity.

Outlines

00:00

🌈 Understanding Race Beyond Physical Appearances

This paragraph explores the complexities of defining race, emphasizing that it is more than just physical traits like skin color. It explains that race is a social construct, influenced by societal perceptions of biological traits. The 'one-drop' rule in the U.S. is highlighted to illustrate the inconsistent application of these traits. The script also delves into the distinction between race and ethnicity, using the example of Hispanic, Latino, and Latin American identities to show that race is not solely based on physical appearance but also on cultural heritage and societal categorization.

05:05

🏛 Societal Constructs of Minority and Majority

The second paragraph delves into the sociological definition of a minority, which is not determined by group size but by societal subordination based on physical or cultural differences. It discusses how minority status is linked to power dynamics rather than population size, using the examples of women in the U.S. and the historical context of apartheid in South Africa. The paragraph also addresses the changing demographics in the U.S., with a focus on the growth of racial and ethnic diversity and the concept of 'minority-majority' states. It outlines the U.S. Census racial categories, illustrating the fluidity and evolving nature of racial definitions over time and across different societies.

10:06

🎬 Behind the Scenes of Crash Course Sociology

The final paragraph provides a behind-the-scenes look at the production of Crash Course Sociology. It mentions the studio location in Missoula, Montana, and acknowledges the team involved in creating the series. The animation is credited to Thought Cafe, and the use of Adobe Creative Cloud for production is noted. The paragraph also invites viewers to support the series through Patreon, a crowdfunding platform, and expresses gratitude to patrons for their support, which helps keep the content free for everyone.

Keywords

💡Race

Race, in the context of the video, is a socially constructed category used to categorize people based on shared biological traits that a society deems important. It's not merely about skin color but includes other physical attributes. The script discusses how race is more than skin deep and varies in its definition across cultures and time periods, illustrating the complexity of racial categorization.

💡Social Construct

A social construct is a concept or category that is created and defined by society rather than being based on inherent or objective characteristics. The video explains that race, like gender, is a social construct, highlighting how societies assign meanings to certain biological traits and use these to categorize individuals.

💡Skin Color

Skin color is a physical characteristic often used to distinguish between racial groups. The script points out the imprecision of using skin color as a defining feature of race, noting that a tan does not change a person's racial identity, and that light-skinned Black individuals may not have significantly darker skin than some White individuals with tans.

💡Ethnicity

Ethnicity refers to a socially constructed category based on cultural traits, such as language, traditions, and religion, that a society finds important. The video explains the difference between ethnicity and race, emphasizing that ethnicity is about shared cultural heritage rather than biological traits, and that individuals of different races can share the same ethnicity.

💡One-Drop Rule

The 'one-drop rule' is a historical and social concept in the United States that classified a person as Black if they had even a minimal amount of African ancestry, regardless of their other heritage. The video uses this rule to illustrate the inconsistent application of physical traits in racial categorization.

💡Hispanic

Hispanic is a term that refers to people with origins in Spanish-speaking countries. The script clarifies that 'Hispanic' is an ethnicity, not a race, and explains its usage in the US Census and everyday language, noting the distinction between Hispanic and Latino.

💡Latino/Latina

Latino/Latina, and the de-gendered term Latinx, refer to people whose heritage originates from nations in the Americas south of the United States. The video explains that not all Hispanics are Latinos, and vice versa, highlighting the difference between these terms based on language and geographical origin.

💡Minority

In sociology, a minority is defined as a category of people who are distinguished by physical or cultural difference and are subordinated by society. The video emphasizes that minority status is not about group size but about the relative position and access to power, using examples such as women and South African apartheid.

💡Minority-Majority

A minority-majority refers to a demographic situation where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes more than half of the population. The script discusses this concept in relation to the changing demographics of the United States, where certain states are already minority-majority.

💡Census

A census is an official count of the population, which in the context of the video, is used to collect data about the demographics of a country, including race and ethnicity. The US Census is mentioned as using specific racial categories, which can reflect and influence societal understandings of race.

💡Caucasian

The term 'Caucasian' originated as a reference to people of Indo-European descent and was used in the past to classify a broad group of people from Europe to India. The video explains how the term has evolved and is now part of the category 'White' in the US Census, despite its historical inaccuracies and complexities.

Highlights

Race is defined by a combination of physical appearance and cultural context rather than just skin color.

Race is a socially constructed category used to categorize people based on shared biological traits deemed important by society.

The concept of race is complex, involving both social constructs and biological traits, with the emphasis on what society values.

Physical traits like skin color are not consistently applied in racial categorization, as seen in the 'one-drop' rule in the United States.

Ethnicity is distinguished from race, being based on shared cultural heritage rather than biological traits.

Ethnic groups are defined by cultural traits such as language, traditions, and religion, rather than physical appearance.

The terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latin American have distinct meanings and are not interchangeable.

Hispanic refers to a person's heritage from a Spanish-speaking country, while Latino refers to those from Latin American countries.

Ethnicity does not rely on physical appearance, allowing for individuals of the same ethnicity to belong to different races.

Race and ethnicity influence social outcomes, including education, income, and experiences with the criminal justice system.

The perception of what constitutes a minority can vary by country and is not solely based on group size.

A minority group in sociology is defined by a lower status in society and less access to power, regardless of size.

The US Census uses six different racial categories, each with its own historical and societal implications.

The concept of 'White' has evolved over time, including people of Middle Eastern descent in the US Census.

The term 'Caucasian' historically included a broader range of people than what is considered 'White' today.

Racial and ethnic categories are not fixed and are subject to change as society's understanding evolves.

The US Census reflects the dynamic nature of racial and ethnic definitions, which may continue to evolve.

Transcripts

How do you define race?

If you had to describe why you think you’re a member of one race and someone else was a member of a different one, you’d probably focus on appearances –

your skin, your hair, maybe even the structures of your bodies and faces.

But most of the time, those physical criteria mean different things, depending on the culture you’re a part of.

An obvious example is skin color.

We use the words White and Black to describe two races, but the distinction in skin color between those races isn’t as clear cut.

A White person who’s spent the summer at the beach might come home with brown skin, but getting a tan doesn’t change their race.

And light-skinned Black people may have skin that’s not all that darker than that tan.

Clearly, race is about more than just the literal color of someone’s skin.

So let’s talk about race, and why it’s a topic that goes more than skin deep.

[Theme Music]

Much like gender, race is a socially constructed category.

In this case, it’s used to categorize people who share biological traits that a society thinks are important.

So, you might be wondering: how can race be both a social construct and something based on biology?

Well, the key part of that definition of race is the last part: what a society thinks is important.

Sure, skin color varies widely across regions of the world.

But so does eye color, and we don’t consider people with blue eyes a different race than people with brown eyes.

And while physical traits are often used to describe or identify a race, they’re not always applied consistently.

Take for example, the so-called ‘one-drop’ rule in the United States,

where even the smallest amount of African American ancestry is enough to classify someone as Black rather than White.

The opposite, however, isn’t true – someone with one Black parent and one White parent is almost never considered white.

Plus people from different places or different time periods have defined racial groups differently.

Nowadays, light skinned people of European descent are typically considered `White’ in the United States.

It doesn’t matter whether your heritage is British or Irish or Italian or Polish or German – you’re just ‘White.’

But that wasn’t the case a century ago.

In the early 1900s, anyone who wasn’t a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant was considered ‘ethnic’ –

so for example, if you were Italian or Irish, you weren’t considered white.

Likewise, today, being Jewish is often seen as an ethnicity in the United States.

But Europeans are more likely to think of being Jewish as a race.

So, that raises the question: What’s the difference between ethnicity and race?

Well, ethnicities are socially constructed categories based on cultural traits that a society finds important, rather than strictly biological traits.

Essentially, an ethnic group is a group that has a shared cultural heritage.

Language, traditions, religion – these are all types of culture that can determine your ethnic background.

Two people of different races might share an ethnicity – and conversely, two people of the same race might be of totally different ethnicities.

Japanese and Vietnamese people are both considered Asian, but they come from different cultural backgrounds.

In fact, a term that many people think refers to race – `Hispanic’ – actually refers to ethnicity.

To explore this a little more, let’s go to the Thought Bubble to talk about the differences between the terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latin American.

The term “Hispanic” first appeared as a racial category in the US Census in 1970,

as a way of describing those whose heritage originated in a Spanish-speaking country.

Before then, the Census referred to those people as Spanish-Americans –

even though tracing back their origins to Spain would mean going way, way back for many of them.

And for others, it’d be totally inaccurate.

But in day-to-day conversation, most people from Spanish-speaking backgrounds were usually referred to by the country of their heritage,

like Mexican American or Cuban American, or sometimes more broadly as ‘Latin American.’

This last term is also where we get the word `Latino’ – and the de-gendered latinx.

It’s a shorter version of the Spanish word ‘latinoamericano,’

and it refers to someone whose heritage originates from nations in the Americas that are south of the United States,

including Mexico, all of South America, and the Caribbean.

Now, not all Hispanics are Latino.

Being from Spain for example, makes you Hispanic but not Latino – and not all Latinos are Hispanic.

Brazilians speak Portuguese, meaning that they are not considered Hispanic.

But regardless of which term you’re using, Hispanic or Latino, neither of these distinctions are based on physical appearance.

Unlike race, which is based on observable, physical traits, ethnicities aren’t.

And in fact, two people of the same ethnicity can be entirely different races.

For example, both Cameron Diaz and Rosario Dawson are Cuban Americans, which means they are both Hispanic, but Cameron Diaz is white and Rosario Dawson is Black.

Thanks Thought Bubble!

Though race is more commonly used by society as a way to organize people and distribute power,

both race and ethnicity play a role in how people are perceived and, therefore, the opportunities that are available to them.

A person’s race influences a whole host of social outcomes, from their education to their income to their experiences with the criminal justice system.

But which races or ethnicities are advantaged or disadvantaged depends on when and where we’re talking about.

For example, in the United Kingdom, there’s been a lot of unrest about immigration from Eastern Europe, especially Poland.

Incidents of hostility and violence against Polish immigrants have increased in the wake of the UK’s exit from the European Union.

But while Eastern Europeans are considered an ethnic minority in the UK,

people in the US are much more likely to think of Eastern European immigrants as just White – they’re not thought of as a minority.

And that’s because what constitutes a minority is more complex than you might think.

Sociologists define a minority as any category of people, who are distinguished by physical or cultural difference, that a society sets apart and subordinates.

Now, notice that there are two important parts of that definition:

First, minorities share a distinctive identity based on physical or cultural traits.

Second, minorities occupy a lower status in society and have less access to the levers of societal power.

Notice how that definition doesn’t say anything about the size of the group.

In sociology, a minority group’s relative size isn’t important.

For example, women are considered a minority, even though they make up about 51% of the United States.

And a group that’s a minority in terms of size can still be a majority in terms of power.

South African apartheid is an example of this.

From 1948 to 1994, a white minority maintained a system of racial segregation and discrimination against Black South Africans.

Right now, non-Hispanic Whites are the majority group in the United States in terms of sheer size, making up 61% of the US population.

But that’s rapidly changing.

As of 2015, babies of color being born now outnumber non-Hispanic white babies.

And five states are already minority-majority states: California, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, and Hawaii.

How can a state or country be minority-majority? Isn’t that, like, an oxymoron?

Well, for one thing, even if non-Hispanic white Americans no longer make up more than half the country,

they’ll likely remain a larger group than any other single race.

But also, to be a minority in the sociological sense of the word, a group must be in a position of disadvantage.

And as we’ve discussed many times before, non-Hispanic White Americans tend to have higher incomes,

live in better neighborhoods, and are more likely to have more prestigious jobs and better educations than racial and ethnic minorities.

But before we can make comparisons between different racial groups in the US, we should talk about the races that make up the United States.

The US Census uses six different categories of race when collecting data about the demographics of the country.

White refers to anyone who reports their origins as being from Europe, the Middle East, or Northern Africa.

So, Irish, German, Italian, Lebanese, Iranian, Moroccan – they’re all ethnicities that go under the heading of white.

Yes, you heard me right.

People of Middle Eastern descent are categorized as White by the Census, even if they often aren’t treated as if they’re white.

Why? Well, what’s now become known as ‘White’ originates from a term to refer to people of Indo-European descent: the ‘Caucasian’ race.

The term Caucasian started as a reference to the Caucus Mountains, which run through the modern day countries of Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Back when race was understood as a purely biological phenomenon, everyone from Europe all the way down to India was lumped into one ‘Caucasian’ group.

So yesterday’s ‘Caucasian’ contained most of the people who count as today’s ‘white’,

but also captured groups that nowadays get labelled as Asian, such as Indians or Pakistanis.

Now, many Hispanic Americans are also counted as White in the Census.

‘Hispanic’ is considered an ethnicity, not a race, for Census purposes, so in the 2010 Census,

52% of Hispanic Americans identified themselves as white,

while 36.7% identified themselves as ‘some other race,’ and smaller percentages identified themselves as one of the other racial groups.

Black or African Americans are the second largest racial group in the United States and are defined as individuals with African heritage, including those who are Afro-Caribbean.

Since many African Americans’ ancestors were forcibly brought to the United States as slaves,

the countries that their ancestors originated from are often unknown.

To this day, the remnants of slavery and the Southern plantation systems can be seen in the geographic distribution of Black Americans around the country.

Though many Black Americans moved to Northern cities during the Great Migration of the early 20th century,

most remained in the South, in a region that has come to be known as the Black Belt of the United States.

The third racial category used in the Census is ‘American Indian or Alaska Native,’

which refers to anyone whose origins are indigenous to the contiguous United States and Alaska.

Though Native Americans numbered in the millions when Europeans first arrived in the 15th century,

today, they control only 2% of the country’s land area, make up just 0.2% of the US population,

and remain severely disadvantaged in terms of access to education and income.

The fourth Census category for race, Asian, refers to origins in Eastern Asia, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including China, India, Japan, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

The largest subgroup of Asian Americans are those of Chinese ancestry, who make up a little less than ¼ of the total Asian American population.

The fifth Census category is Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,

which refers to people whose origins are from Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

As I mentioned before, Hawaii is one of the states where a minority race is the majority race for the state –

and in fact, it’s the only state that has always been minority-majority.

The last Census category is just a catch-all ‘Some Other Race.’

You might remember that about a third of Hispanic Americans fall into this group;

if a person lists a country of origin that doesn’t fit one of the other categories, they get stuck in this group.

You might be thinking that these categories don’t seem like the racial groups you typically think of.

And that’s ok!

In all likelihood, the way that the government defines races will continue to change,

to incorporate our society’s changing notions of race and ethnicity.

And something that should be clear from everything we talked about today is that races aren’t fixed immutable categories – they are defined by societies.

Today we learned the difference between races and ethnicities.

We discussed how definitions of races and ethnicities have changed over time and across places.

We also discussed the terms minority and minority-majority.

And we finished up by discussing how races are defined in the United States.

Crash Course Sociology is filmed in the Dr. Cheryl C. Kinney Studio in Missoula, MT, and it’s made with the help of all of these nice people.

Our animation team is Thought Cafe and Crash Course is made with Adobe Creative Cloud.

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