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Willy Mendoza
Professor Mozzini
Sociology 1
27 July 2016
Understanding Race: Witt Ch. 13
1. Racial profiling is an act of discrimination based on an individuals race, culture, religion
or nationality. After the 9/11 tragedy took place, citizens of Muslim, Arab and other mideastern cultures were targeted as suspicious and considered a threat to society. In a way,
government officials started criminal profiling against that specific community due to the
concern of future crimes. Law enforcement started to occurring in the sense of more
securities, police officers, etc. in public affairs. Contact hypothesis is used as a way to
help conflicting groups of people understand each other and bring them together.
2. Ethnocentrism refers to the belief that an individuals culture is superior to others. An
example of an ethnocentric practices would be that of Adolf Hitlers rule of Nazi
Germany. His hatred towards Jews and other minorities caused the death of many
innocent people. This would be considered an extreme cause of ethnocentrism. Another
example of ethnocentrism would be our present day government. In a way, the United
States thinks of itself as powerful and better off than other nations. This is also an
example of an ethnocentric practice. This has caused conflicts with other nations, such as
recent concerns with the Middle Eastern nations.
3. The social construction of race refers to the idea that race is a term created by society,
rather than it being a term used to refer to biological means. A symbolic interactionist
perspective would be one that individuals develop this idea of race and become members
of a race by social interaction. America is known for its diversity of many different races.

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These individuals with different backgrounds become one race in general, making them
Americans.
4. Model minority is a minority group of individuals who are observed as more success in
social means than the average members of society. Asian Americans are seen as a model
minority because of their high numbers of success, not only educational wise but high
income levels as well. Some advantages to being part of the model minority is that
individuals are seen as intellectual, respectable citizens; in a way, it is a compliment
towards them. A disadvantage would be that not all individuals of that particular race fit
into that pattern so they are interpreted as misfits. Another disadvantage would be that
these individuals are highly expected of being successful; therefore, placing a lot of stress
and pressure on them.