Weeks 1 - 6

Question 1

what is race

Answer 1

a social construction that has shifted over time and is rooted in historical and political processes NOT biology

Question 2

why is race not biological

Answer 2

genetic differences between groups are inconsistent and insignificant; scientists DO NOT agree on biological races

Question 3

if race isn’t real biologically, why does it matter

Answer 3

because it has real social consequences as race is embedded in laws, institutions, and everyday life

Question 4

what is the social construction of race

Answer 4

race is created through human classification, power relations, and historical context NOT inherent traits

Question 5

how is race linked to colonialism

Answer 5

europeans created racial categories to justify colonization, slavery, and domination

Question 6

what is scientific racism

Answer 6

the use of science or pseudoscience to justify racial hierarchies and inequality

Question 7

what is eugenics

Answer 7

the idea of “improving” the human population by controlling who can have children

Question 8

why is scientific racism important sociologically

Answer 8

because it shows how science was used to falsely present race as biological to justify inequality

Question 9

what is a modern form of scientific racism

Answer 9

using genetics / dna to define identity and re - biologize race - Kim Tallbear

Question 10

what is racial formation

Answer 10

racial formation is how society shapes what race means and how racial categories are formed and changed over time

Question 11

do racial meanings stay the same

Answer 11

no - they change over time and are shaped by politics and power

Question 12

what is a racial project

Answer 12

an idea or action that gives meaning to race and shapes how resources or power are distributed based on race

example: students of colour being taught by less experienced teachers

Question 13

what are 3 dimensions of a new racial theory

Answer 13

look at race across different times and places

link everyday interactions to larger systems

acknowledge anti - racist movements and peoples resistance to racism

Question 14

what is colour blind racism

Answer 14

using race neutral ideas to maintain racial inequality

Question 15

what are the 4 central frames of colour blind racism

Answer 15

abstract liberalism

naturalization

cultural racism

minimization of racism

Question 16

what is abstract liberalism

Answer 16

using liberal language like “freedom” or “equality” in an abstract way to talk about race

“Everyone should just be treated the same, so we don’t need affirmative action”

Question 17

what is naturalization

Answer 17

explaining racism as natural or normal- “people just prefer their own kind”

Question 18

what is cultural racism

Answer 18

blaming inequality on culture instead of racism

“they’re poor because they don’t value education or hard work”

Question 19

what is minimization of racism

Answer 19

claiming racism is no longer a serious issue

Question 20

what is the color line - web du bois

Answer 20

the social, political, and economic boundary that separates white people from non-white (and especially Black) people

Question 21

what is the veil

Answer 21

the invisible barrier separating Black people from white society

Question 22

what is double consciousness

Answer 22

the inner “two-ness” created by living behind the veil

the struggle of African Americans who must reconcile their African heritage with their American upbringing

Question 23

why is du bois important

Answer 23

because he centers race, highlights lived experience, and links structure to identity

Question 24

what is ethnicity - weber

Answer 24

a subjective belief in shared ancestry, regardless of actual biological ties

Question 25

what is the difference between migration and immigration

Answer 25

migration = the movement of people from one place to another immigrant = involves crossing into a country with the purpose of living there permanently

Question 26

what is the push - pull theory (why do people immigrate)

Answer 26

people are PUSHED out of poverty, unemployment, politics OR people are PULLED in by higher wages and opportunity elsewhere

Question 27

why is immigration not an individual choice - portes and brocz

Answer 27

because it is shaped by global systems, history

Question 28

what are the 3 post immigration outcomes and explain them

Answer 28

1. amalgamation = the process through which a majority group and a minority group combine to form a new group 2. assimilation = the process through which a person forsakes his or her own cultural tradition to become part of a different culture 3. pluralism = mutual respect for various cultures and groups in a society, which allows minorities to express their own cultures without experiencing prejudice

Question 29

what is intersectionality - Kimberle Crenshaw

Answer 29

framework to understand how overlapping social identities create unique experiences of discrimination or privilege a black woman expereinces discrimination that is different from both white women and Black men (race + gender)

Question 30

what does intersectionality reject

Answer 30

single axis thinking (only race OR gender)

Question 31

what are the 4 domains of power

Answer 31

structural cultural interpersonal disciplinary (domains of power describe how power operates across institutions, social practices, and individual relationships to maintain systems of privilege and oppression)

Question 32

what is structural intersectionality

Answer 32

social structures and institutions creating overlapping systems of disadvantages for people with multiple marginalized identities example: a low income immigrant struggling to access healthcare because of language barriers, cost, and immigration status multiple systems

Question 33

what is universal feminism

Answer 33

the idea that all women share the same experiences and oppression (for example by the patriarchy) but often ignores difference like race, class, and sexuality example: movement looking at gender pay gap but only looking at differences between men and women overall - ignores race and class aspects

Question 34

what is anti racist feminism

Answer 34

a perspective that connects gender inequality to race and other systems of power focuses on specific differences & women of colour -- instead of treating all women the same example: a campaign to improve maternal healthcare for Black and Indigenous women

Question 35

what is transnational feminism

Answer 35

focuses on global power relations and linkages, NOT comparisons

Question 36

what is colonialism

Answer 36

the physical practice of acquiring of occupying land in another country

Question 37

what is imperialism

Answer 37

a policy of extending a country’s power and influence on another country

Question 38

why is colonialism important

Answer 38

because is shaped capitalism, racism, and global inequality

Question 39

what is settler colonialism

Answer 39

permanent settlement and displacement of Indigenous people

Question 40

what is orientalism

Answer 40

a western way of representing the East as inferior, exotic, and backward

Question 41

what is the difference between orient east and occident west

Answer 41

orient east = exotic mysterious backward irrational occident west = modern scientific developed progressive rational

Question 42

why is orientalism important

Answer 42

it justifies colonial domination and global inequality

Question 43

what is secularism

Answer 43

the separation of religion and the state (but it is also a system of power)

Question 44

what is race thinking - Sherene Razack

Answer 44

a way of thinking that divides people into “deserving” and “undeserving” groups treats differences as natural organizes social hierarchies while appearing as culture or values rather than racism

Question 45

what is anti muslim racism

Answer 45

framing Muslims as a civilzational threat to justify control and exclusion

Question 46

what is whiteness

Answer 46

a position of dominance that is treated as the norm

Question 47

what is white fragility - robyn diangelo

Answer 47

defensive reactions when racism is challenged white people often react defensively when racism and white privilege are named

Question 48

what is diversity paradox

Answer 48

inclusion is promoted symbolically, but inequality still exists structurally

Question 49

why is diversity criticized

Answer 49

it focuses on difference but ignores power and inequality

Question 50

What is Taxonomy (Linnaeus)

Answer 50

Falsely divided humans into 4 hierarchical species based on bias and clothing

Question 51

Monogenism v polygenism

Answer 51

Mono- argues humans are one species Poly- racist belief that races are an entirely different species

Question 52

Whats the American Golgotha study

Answer 52

-Polygenism study on brain size of different races -Whites had largest skulls, then natives, then african americans

Question 53

What is standpoint theory

Answer 53

Double consciousness- the "inner-twoness" of seeing ones self through a racist society's eye The veil- the barrier separating black and white worlds

Question 54

essence vs illusion

Answer 54

essence = fixed, objectice, biological illusion = purely ideological, fake, irrelevant

Question 55

what is black feminist thought (collins)

Answer 55

Ideas of epistemic privilege (marginalized people produce better knowledge about power) And the Outsider within (black women in academia have a strategic double perspective)

Question 56

what is the bridge called my back - moraga and anzaldua

Answer 56

a book by women of colour that centers their lived experiences and shows how race, gender, class, and other systems are connected it critiques mainstream feminism for ignoring women of colour

Question 57

What is Immigration typology

Answer 57

Outcomes depend on: Conditions of exit, class background, and context of reception

Question 58

What is exaltation

Answer 58

elevating white citizens as embodying national views, while indigenous and immigrants are cast as lacking them