The Nature of Multiculturalism and Ethnic Relations

People respond differently to multiculturalism. Some see the creative potential and the rich perspectives that diversity can offer; others look at multiculturalism through the frame of conflict, division, and power struggle. In considering this complex topic, it is important to begin by defining the terms (race, ethnicity, racism) and to consider questions posed by Marger (2015) about multicultural dynamics: “ What is the nature of intergroup relations in multiethnic societies? How are the various ethnic groups ranked, and what are the consequences of that ranking system? How does the dominant ethnic group in a multiethnic society maintain its place at the top of the ethnic hierarchy, and what attempts are made by subordinate groups to change their positions? What are the long-range outcomes of ethnic interrelations?” (p. 6). This week’s Learning Resources will help you consider these issues.

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This week, you will also examine the concepts of race, ethnicity, racial relations, and racism in the context of your own immediate environment and your experiences. You will consider the social values that are reflected in the culture and behavior patterns you observe. In so doing, you can consider how your personal experiences are impacted by the larger historical and structural realities of which you are part. You will also complete a Quiz based on this week’s required reading from the course text. Also, take note of the requirements of the Course Project which is due in Week 5.

Learning Resources

REQUIRED READINGS

Marger, M. N. (2015). Race and ethnic relations: American and global perspectives (10th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

Chapter 1, “Introduction: Some Basic Concepts” (pp. 3–26)

Pew Research Center. (2016c). Social & demographic trends: Race and ethnicity. Retrieved from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/topics/race-and-eth…
Throughout the course, consult the various resources and articles to learn about trends in race and ethnicity.

Writing and Library Resources

Consult these writing resources throughout the course.

Walden University. (2015a). Reference list: Common reference list examples. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/ap…

Walden University. (2015b). Undergraduate writing: Academic writing expectations (AWE). Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/un…

Walden University. (2015c). Walden e-guide. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu.ezp.waldenulibra…

Walden University. (2015d.). Walden library. Retrieved from https://waldencss.adobeconnect.com/introtothelibra…

Walden University. (2015e). Walden templates: General templates. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/te…

Walden University. (2015f). Writing center homepage. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/ho…

REQUIRED MEDIA

American Anthropological Association (Producer). (2009, July 8). Race: Are we so different? [Video file]. Retrieved from
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.

American Anthropological Association. (2008b). Understanding race. Retrieved from http://www.understandingrace.org/

Understanding Prejudice. (2016a). Racism now [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.understandingprejudice.org/multimedia/r…
View these videos that relate to contemporary forms of racial prejudice and discrimination.

OPTIONAL RESOURCES

Ted Conferences (Producer). (2014e). Vernā Myers: How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/verna_myers_how_to_overc…
“Our biases can be dangerous, even deadly—as we’ve seen in the cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, in Staten Island, New York. Diversity advocate Vernā Myers looks closely at some of the subconscious attitudes we hold toward out-groups. She makes a plea to all people: Acknowledge your biases. Then move toward, not away from, the groups that make you uncomfortable. In a funny, impassioned, important talk, she shows us how.”

Public Broadcasting Service. (n.d.). Me, my race, and I: What’s race got to do with it? Retrieved February 2, 2016, from http://www.pbs.org/race/005_MeMyRaceAndI/005_00-ho…
Watch the four slideshows on race and how one’s race affects one’s life.

United Stated Census Bureau. (n.d.). Race. Retrieved February 5, 2016, from http://www.census.gov/topics/population/race.html
Identify the major racial groups and the composition of the United States population in Census 2000.

Creating a Slide Presentation

Cox, D. A. (2014, April 5). Keynote 2013 full tutorial [Video file]. Retrieved from

Mac for Beginners. (2016). Keynote. Retrieved from http://www.macforbeginners.com/mac-apps/keynote-ba…

Microsoft: Office Support. (2016a). Create your first PowerPoint 2010 presentation. Retrieved from https://support.office.com/en-US/article/Create-yo…

Microsoft: Office Support. (2016b). PowerPoint 2013 videos and tutorials. Retrieved from https://support.office.com/en-us/article/PowerPoin…

Prezi. (2016a). Official Prezi tutorials [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL09A34EF195…

Prezi. (2016b). Prezi support. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/support/

Discussion: Reflection on Race, Ethnicity, Racial Relations, and Racism

Sociologist C. Wright Mills coined the term “Sociological Imagination,” which he defined as “the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society” (Mills, 1959). What Mills was describing was our ability to connect our personal experiences to public issues and to perceive our individual situations and circumstances in a wide social context. Individuals could see their daily lives as part of a larger social experience and compare their experiences with that of others.

In this Discussion, you are asked to look at race and ethnicity issues within your immediate personal sphere and to examine your experiences and observations in light of the larger structural and social forces influencing race and ethnicity. You are also asked to reflect on the values, beliefs, and assumptions that inform the actions and perspectives you observe. Values are a fundamental source of individual and cultural behavior, so understanding values sheds light on the motivation and rationale behind the actions you observe.

To prepare:

Review the Learning Resources for this week.
Consider diversity in your work, school, neighborhood, religious setting, and entertainment environments. What is the racial distribution of the people in each of these environments? What do you observe that you may not have noticed were you not investigating diversity in these environments?
Consider prejudice and discrimination in the context of your own immediate environment and your experiences.
Consider values and beliefs, both positive and negative, about human differences with regard to others who are different. Consider how these values have made an impact on your lives and those around you.

BY DAY 3

Post an analysis of race, ethnicity, racial relations, and racism in your immediate environment and your experiences, addressing the following:

How does your racial and/or ethnic identity affect your life?
Share an example (or examples) of negative and/or positive race relations you have experienced or witnessed.
What is the source (historical, structural, political, cultural) of racism in your environment?
What underlying values support the nature of the race and ethnic group interaction you’ve observed?
How might positive social change be encouraged to improve race and ethnic group relations in your immediate context?

Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and any additional sources.

BY DAY 7

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond to two of your colleagues’ posts in one or more of the following ways:

Explain insights you gained by considering your colleagues’ postings.
Validate an idea with your own experience.
Share a different perspective and ask a probing or clarifying question.
Challenge responses: Explain why and how you see things differently.
Build on insights from your colleagues and offer data/evidence that further clarify an issue.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial post.