Lecture Notes on Ethnicity and Race in the United States

Overview

• Main Question: Is America an Anglo country?
• Historical Background: Founded by English (Anglo-Saxon Protestant) settlers.
• Cultural Legacy: Predominantly Anglo-centric culture despite diverse immigration.

Key Concepts

• Race vs. Ethnicity vs. Nationality vs. Ancestry:
  • Race: Large genetic group sharing significant DNA and cultural traits.
  • Ethnicity: Smaller groups with shared language, culture, and religion.
  • Nationality: Citizenship or birthplace.
  • Ancestry: All ancestral lineage.

Hispanic Americans

• Demographics: Over 60 million, diverse in ancestry and culture.
• Ethnicity issues:
  • Diverse origins (European, Native American, African, Asian).
  • Hispanic not a homogenous group; better described as a "pseudo-ethnicity."

Genetic Ancestry

• Diversity: Cuban Americans (European), Dominicans (African), Peruvians (Amerindian).
• Future Trends: Hispanic genetic ancestry might surpass English and German in the U.S.

Racial and Ethnic Classification

• Historical Context: U.S. fluctuating racial classification of Hispanics (Caucasian/non-Caucasian).
• Cultural Impact: Cultural assimilation affects racial identification.

Other Ethnic Groups

• Black Americans: Mixed African origins, unique culture formed through shared history.
• Asian Americans: Diverse ethnic groups beginning to culturally homogenize in the U.S.

Sociopolitical Implications

• Casta System: Historical social stratification in Latin America influencing modern perception.
• Ethnic Identity and Assimilation: Intermixing and cultural assimilation blur ethnic lines.

Conclusions

• Ethnic Identity: Continues to evolve with societal changes.
• Discussion Point: What terminology should describe the growing pseudo-ethnic collective?

• Poll: Opinions on Hispanic American community and ethnic group terminologies.
• Presenter: Mason.