Deck 10: B: Race and Racialization

Question 1

Provide at least one example of a criticism that has been directed toward Canada's multicultural policy.

Answer 1

Sceptics question whether the dominant white majority follows through on its commitment to multiculturalism in light of how many react during times of economic hardship or during international conflicts.Some critics perceive multiculturalism as merely the superficial encouragement of ethnic dancing and traditional foods;immigrants are still expected to adopt the values and attitudes of the dominant society.Others complain that multiculturalism tends to freeze cultures in a fixed state and does not allow them to evolve.

Question 2

What is expulsion or population transfer,and what does it have in common with genocide? Provide a Canadian example to support your answer.

Answer 2

Expulsion or population transfer is the decision to expel or transfer the minority rather than exterminate them.It can occur under the same conditions as genocide: (1)the dominant group is much larger than the minority, (2)the minority is of little or no economic value to the dominant group,and (3)the dominant group needs a scapegoat to blame for economic or military setbacks.Example: Aboriginal residential schools,Japanese internment camps

Question 3

According to the contact hypothesis,what three conditions must be met for inter-group contact to reduce prejudice?

Answer 3

1.Contact must be between individuals of equal status (the contact between an Aboriginal woman and the rich white family she works for would tend to reinforce and perpetrate existing stereotypical views).
2.The contact between equals must be sustained and regular (ad hoc,short-term contact does not give either party enough time to appreciate the other fully).
3.Social norms favouring equality must be agreed to by both parties (having members of the black community meet with white skinheads would probably not be productive,given that skinheads have little interest in equality).

Question 4

Canada currently uses a point system to make immigration decisions.Describe this system and discuss how it might impact Canadian society.

Question 5

What is the difference between direct and indirect institutional discrimination? Provide an example of each.

Question 6

Define the concepts of segregation and separatism,and identify aspects that are similar/ different.

Question 7

What is the difference between segregation and separation? Provide a Canadian example of each.

Question 8

How did the South African system of apartheid exemplify the sociological principle that it is not the number of individuals in a given group but,rather,its lack of power that makes it a minority?

Question 9

Describe the American concept of the "melting pot." Of the five categories of minority relations described in your textbook,which is most closely aligned with the "melting pot" philosophy?

Question 10

Describe scapegoat theory and provide an example from history or your own life that illustrates this process of discrimination.

Question 11

Describe the process of "selective perception," and provide an illustrative example.

Question 12

Using examples,describe the difference between a "racial group" and an "ethnic group."

Question 13

According to sociologists,what are the characteristics of a minority,and what two defining features do they possess? Give examples of minorities in Canada.

Question 14

Define the concept of "social distance" and give an example.Which theory explaining prejudice and discrimination is this concept associated with?

Question 15

What does the term racialization refer to? Provide an example of a stereotype that implements racialization.