Americans’ Racial Attitudes

Key Terms

“Majority-minority” nation- this is referred to a situation where the total population of minority is higher than the population of the dominant group in a nation. In the article, the term was used to show the rapid increase of racial/ethnic minorities in U.S and how the States will comprise a high population of minority in future. In other words, the article shows that by 2042, over 50% of U.S population will be comprised by minority and dominant group will comprise fewer members (Craig & Richeson, 2014).

Demographic changes-A condition where the population of a country changes in terms of demographic dynamics. This term in the article was used to show the changing racial demographics in American population. The population is changing in that race/ethnic minority is increasing rapidly and by 2042, the population will be higher than 50%.  In other words, America is a melting pot since the States are made of different race and cultures (Craig & Richeson, 2014).

Explicit and implicit racial bias- the changing demographics leads to explicit and implicit bias.  Explicit bias is an attitude expressed to minority in a conscious manner. For example, White people express pro-White bias to own ethnic group. Implicit bias- the article shows that implicit bias is an attitude expressed to minority group in unconscious manner. For example, White people show implicit bias to own ethnic group and show explicit bias to Blacks and Latinos (Craig & Richeson, 2014).

Prejudice- this is referred to as unfavorable feeling and unreasonable attitude toward a certain group simply to their race/ethnicity, gender, social class among other social characterizes. For example, White people show prejudice to minorities simply because they belief that minorities are a threat to the U.S in terms political and economic power. White people belief that the minority will compete for economic resources and take advantage of the dominate group privileges (Craig & Richeson, 2014).

Racial attitude- these are negative feelings that white people express toward racial/ethnic minorities. For example, the demographic change and high population of minority is affecting the White people attitude in that they are developing a racial attitude   and show implicit and explicit bias.

 Intergroup hostility-conflict between dominant growing and minority group which is influenced by competition for resources and unfair treatment such as inequality due to discrimination and prejudice.  This term was used in the article to show that the changing demographics and intolerance will increase conflict between the group due to difference in status and power (Craig & Richeson, 2014).

 

Conclusion

• The demographic change is creating a ‘majority-minority ‘population and increasing  racial bias
• Dominate group interact and show pro-White bias to own racial group and negative attitudes to  racial minority
• The demographic shift is influenced by racial attitude of the dominant group.
• Racial attitude is the source of intergroup hostility since White people perceive minority as a threat to the nation.
• Dominate group use racial to express implicit and explicit bias to racial/ethnic group.

 

 

Reference

 Craig A. Maureen & Richeson A. Jennifer. (2014). More Diverse Yet Less Tolerant? How the Increasingly

Diverse Racial Landscape Affects White Americans’ Racial Attitudes. Vol. 40(6) 750–761, DOI:

10.1177/0146167214524993