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Racial Stereotypes
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Racial Stereotypes
Q.1 What is the difference between the terms “race” and “ethnicity”?
Although the terms race and ethnicity are used interchangeably by the general population, these two terms are quite distinct among sociologists. Many sociologists agree upon that race is linked to biological characteristics and ethnicity is related to culture (Stone, 2018). Race can be defined as differences or similarities regarding biological features of people living in a society (Stone, 2018). These features help individuals having them to stand out socially. On the other hand, ethnicity is related to common cultural practices and perspectives that make a set of the population to be distinct (Stone, 2018). In today's world, the majority of countries have different ethnic groups. Pluralism is what countries nowadays are pursuing. Pluralist state is a state in which all ethnic groups enjoy the same social status regardless of their ethnicity.
Q.2 Had you ever noticed the racial and ethnic stereoypes discussed in the arabface?
The Arabs have been in and out of the media regularly since the 1950s. Be it them waging war against Israel on the day of Kippur in 1973 or the recent killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Media has portrayed Arabs differently pursuing national interest. The oil-rich Arabs, which are the allies of the united states, are portrayed as friends of the USA. They are known as "the Sheikh". The women covering their faces by veils while exercising religion are marked as a symbol of disgust in the western world. Hence, I would say that I have noticed Arab stereotypes. Additionally, I have created a perception based on their image on the media. There is a dire need to break these stereotypes.
Q.3 Do assumptions tell us anything definite about a categorized individual?
In my opinion, assumptions have nothing to do when it comes to gaining definitive information regarding an individual. According to many sociologists, people generally make assumptions about an individual as a defensive mechanism. The defensive mechanism comes into play when one individual sees some kind of behavior of any other individual and deem it as unacceptable to their standards. Hence, an assumption shapes our opinion about an individual. However, the reality is different. In my opinion, an individual can be better known after one has interacted with them. Although an assumption can be half accurate, it can be changed positively once you get to know an individual closely. Therefore, one, before jumping onto a conclusion about an individual, should get to know that individual.
Q.4 How do assumptions and stereoptypes affect your behavior toward others?
Unconscious biases and stereotypes tend to have a detrimental effect on our minds. The stereotypes created by society against one community affects them not only mentally, but also physically. Ever since the dreadful 9//11 attacks, the residents of the Muslim countries are being portrayed as the biggest threat to the world. Undoubtedly, terrorism is the biggest threat to global security. However, it is also not entirely correct to create stereotypes against any one community. After the 9/11 attacks, Muslims, even those born and bred in the US, faced abuse and victimization. The women were reprimanded for covering their faces. The latest example of how stereotype shapes behavior was on display in the Christchurch massacre. The perpetrator hated Muslims community from the core and killed more than fifty innocent people belonging from the same community. This is how stereotype shape one’s behavior.
Q.5 Discuss all three theoretical perspectives on race as described in the readings?
There are three theoretical perspectives on race and ethnicity. These are functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction (Thompson, Hickey & Thompson, 2016). Functionalism is based on the idea that the norms and values of a society must be shared in order for it to work perfectly (Thompson, Hickey & Thompson, 2016). The social institutions in functionalism such as family and school have important responsibilities. The social institutions are responsible to promote those share norms and values to maintain functionalist society (Thompson, Hickey & Thompson, 2016). Next is the conflict theory. It states that society is in a state of continuous conflict (Thompson, Hickey & Thompson, 2016). This conflict is due to the limited resources of the society. It is of view that the race considered superior will tend to degrade other races. Lastly, symbolic interaction states that the opinion of an individual is shaped by his interaction with any object or any other individual (Thompson, Hickey & Thompson, 2016). Whether the opinion might be positive or negative depends upon the nature of that interaction.
References
Stone, J. (2018). Race and ethnicity. Core Concepts in Sociology, 242.
Thompson, W. E., Hickey, J. V., & Thompson, M. L. (2016). Society in focus: An introduction to sociology. Rowman & Littlefield.
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