Question 1

In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, the natural sciences were committed to positivism, which maintains that the natural world is governed by objective laws that can also be applied to the social world. How did positivism influence the way that race was discussed and understood?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, the...

Question 2

Which group was instrumental in changing the focus away from 'race relations' to 'racism' - a shift in perspective that placed emphasis on power relations in which social, economic, and political inequalities between groups existed?

Accepted Answer

Black scholars and activists were instrumental in shifting the focus from 'race relations' to 'racism', emphasizing the power dynamics and systemic inequalities that exist between different racial groups.

Question 3

In terms of the theoretical literature that exists on race and racism in North America, there are essentially four main themes. Identify the theme that DOES NOT appear in the academic literature.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic Interactionist perspectives are not typically considered a main theme in the theoretical literature on race and racism in North America. The other options are well-established themes in this field.

Question 4

People are ethnocentric when they think that their race or nation is superior to others.

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture, often leading to prejudice against other groups.

Question 5

Discourses that focus on supposed cultural patterns, such as laziness, single-parent households, low ambitions, and other such factors to explain why some groups have not yet improved their status are consistent with a Critical Race Theory approach.

Accepted Answer

Critical Race Theory (CRT) emphasizes systemic and structural factors, rather than cultural patterns, to explain disparities in status among different racial groups.

Question 6

One of the main problems trying to study and measure covert racism in its institutional or systemic forms is that the concept of institutional racism does not differentiate between structural features inherent in institutions from the actions of groups of individuals.

Accepted Answer

Institutional racism often involves complex systems and structures that can perpetuate racial inequalities, making it difficult to distinguish between the systemic features and individual actions within those systems.

Question 7

Victim testimony or the everyday experiences of individuals who are victimized by racism is usually not accepted or trusted by academic, authorities, and other decision-makers.

Accepted Answer

Victim testimony is often dismissed due to systemic biases, lack of representation, and skepticism towards subjective experiences in favor of empirical evidence.

Question 8

The use of everyday language, like the terms 'black' and 'white' are examples of cultural racism.

Accepted Answer

Cultural racism refers to the use of everyday language and concepts that perpetuate racial stereotypes and discrimination. The terms "black" and "white" are examples of such language, as they are often used to categorize and differentiate people based on their skin color, which can lead to racial bias and discrimination.

Question 9

Everyday racism includes the day-to-day things that are experienced by racialized people living in Canada.

Accepted Answer

Everyday racism refers to the subtle, commonplace interactions or behaviors that, intentionally or unintentionally, discriminate against racialized individuals, and this is a reality for many living in Canada.

Question 10

An example of institutional racism would include a waiter in a restaurant who routinely provides bad service to South Asian customers, except when his boss is there.

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes individual racism, as it involves the personal actions and biases of the waiter, rather than systemic policies or practices of an institution.

Quiz 2: Theoretical Perspectives

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the natural sciences were committed to positivism, which maintains that the natural world is governed by objective laws that can also be applied to the social world. How did positivism influence the way that race was discussed and understood?