11.3 Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism - Introduction to Sociology 3e

Learning Objectives

• Understand differences between stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and racism.
• Identify different types of discrimination.
• Analyze racial tension through a sociological lens.

Key Concepts

Stereotypes

• Oversimplified generalizations about groups.
• Can be based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
• Often negative, especially towards other groups.
• Recycled from past subordinate groups to describe new ones.

Prejudice

• Beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and attitudes about a group.
• Not based on personal experience; a prejudgment.
• Can be reinforced by confirmation bias.
• Often taught and learned through media, socialization, etc.

Discrimination

• Actions against a group of people, based on race, ethnicity, age, etc.
• Can be individual or institutional.
• Examples include redlining and biased hiring processes.
• White privilege as an example of institutional benefits.

Racism

• Stronger form of prejudice and discrimination.
• Justifies inequalities by asserting racial superiority/inferiority.
• Includes individual racism and systemic racism.

Types of Racism

• Individual/Interpersonal Racism: Prejudice executed by individuals.
• Systemic Racism: Structures that disadvantage racial minorities.
• Racial Profiling: Disproportionate treatment based on race.
• Historical Racism: Effects of past racism, e.g., due to slavery.
• Cultural Racism: Cultural narratives that assume racial inferiority.
• Colorism: Preference for certain skin tones within racial groups.
• Color-Avoidance Racism: Avoiding racial language while supporting racism.

Antiracism

• Opposing racism actively and consciously.
• Challenges implicit biases and structural racism.
• Anti-racist actions can include understanding one's biases and working to change policies.
• Involves collaboration at personal, institutional, and societal levels.

Case Study: Racial Tensions in the U.S.

• Example: Michael Brown's death in Ferguson, Missouri.
• Illustrates overlap of prejudice, discrimination, and institutional racism.
• Highlights racial profiling, discrimination in policing, and systemic inequalities.

Conclusion

• Racial tensions and racism are deeply rooted in societal structures.
• Antiracism requires proactive engagement and policy changes.
• Being antiracist involves daily conscious efforts to challenge and change racist practices.

References

• Key references include works by Peggy McIntosh, Race Forward, and scholars on racism and antiracism.

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