Ethnic and racial studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that examines the experiences, identities, attitudes, values, and behaviors of people based on their ethnic or racial group. It also looks at how power dynamics between different groups are expressed through language, politics, culture, economics, education systems, and other social institutions. From a sociological perspective, there is much to be explored in terms of understanding the complexities surrounding ethnicity and race as well as the ways in which they intersect with gender and sexuality classifications. This article will provide an overview of some key concepts related to ethnic and racial studies from a sociological point of view.
From a sociological standpoint, one must understand that race and ethnicity are not biological categories but rather socially constructed ideas that have been used to create divisions among people throughout history (Bonilla-Silva, 2006). These distinctions were created by powerful political forces in order to maintain control over certain populations or resources (Giles et al., 2020). In essence, these "races" were invented for various purposes, such as justifying colonization or oppression; however, they do not reflect any actual genetic difference between human beings (Holtzman, 2015). When discussing issues around ethnicity or race, we must look beyond biology into cultural factors such as language use patterns, shared histories, etc. (Davis et al., 2019).
When exploring questions related to ethnic and racial studies, it is essential to consider intersectional approaches that take into account multiple forms of discrimination faced by individuals due to their gender identity, sexual orientation, etc. (Kirkland et al., 2016). For example, women who identify within both African and American communities face unique challenges compared to those who only identify with either category due to its compound nature. (Crenshaw, 1991). Additionally, while racism can manifest itself in overt actions like hate crimes against certain minority groups, more subtle forms known as microaggressions also exist (Sue, 2010). Microaggressions involve everyday slights or comments made without conscious awareness towards members belonging to specific demographic backgrounds. They often come off as harmless yet contain underlying prejudiced messages about particular cultures or races (Feng, 2017). Thus, when examining the effects prejudice has on society from a sociological lens, one should pay attention to both visible expressions and subtler manifestations embedded within our daily interactions.
Racism isn't just limited to individual behavior but instead manifests itself in institutional structures established by societies (McIntosh, 1988). Institutions act as gatekeepers, allowing access to opportunities previously unavailable to those outside majority circles, thus perpetuating existing inequalities. For instance, employment practices may favor applicants perceived as white over nonwhite counterparts regardless of qualifications simply because of the way the system was designed. This bias would become normalized over time, even though explicit discriminatory policies were abolished decades ago (Williams, 2014). Thus, many times, injustices arise out of pervasive systemic beliefs long after laws change and shape public opinion, thus creating the need to challenge prevailing norms if true equality is ever to be achieved across the board (Lipsitz, 1998).
Ethic and racial studies remains a relevant area of research today, particularly from a sociological perspective, where the emphasis is placed on understanding complex relationships and power dynamics experienced by minorities at structural levels.