MGT322_Week 4
/ 10 Contribution Points
Week 4 Contribution Worksheet
Reading: Chapter 4 (Race and Ethnic Origin)
1. What is the difference between race
and ethnicity
? Race is a social category
, not determined by genetics, and includes classifications such as European American/White, African American/Black, among others. Ethnicity
, however, is defined as a social group
sharing language, religion, and culture, exemplified by categories like Hispanic or Latinx.
2. Is race biologically determined? Explain. No, race is a social category and not a biological category. Race is valued by identity, not
genetics. Race is related to social perception and categorization.
3. According to the textbook, what does the term Caucasian mean? According to the textbook, the term "Caucasian" is often inaccurately used to describe White people, originally denoting inhabitants of the Caucasus region. Broadly, it refers to individual's native to Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia, especially those of European descent with light skin. However, in the United States, "White" has become the preferred term to represent people of primarily European descent, distinguishing from Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, which can include individuals of any race. TheU.S. Census separates Hispanic and White (non-
Hispanic) categories for clarity.
Specify area of eroupe 4. Explain what the term tokenism
means: Tokenism, as defined in the text, refers to Kanter's theory suggesting that individuals who
represent 15% or less of an organization's demographic composition become highly visible, potentially leading to feelings of isolation or exclusion. This concept implies that minimal representation of a demographic group within an organization can led to negative experiences for
those individuals, highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
5. Why are Asians stereotyped as the “model minority”, and why is this harmful? Asians are considered a "model minority" due to a history of being portrayed as hard-
working, successful, and compliant, a myth that simplifies the diverse experiences of Asian Americans and ignores the challenges socio-economic conditions they face. This stereotype is harmful because it erases disparities between Asian ethnic groups, excludes those who do not fit this narrow success story, and pits racial groups against each other, reinforcing an antiestablishment regime. black people and cover up systemic inequality.
