Question 1

After Barak Obama won the 2008 presidential election a claim was made that we are in a post-racial society. This claim implies that:

Accepted Answer

The claim of a post-racial society suggests that race is no longer a significant factor affecting people's opportunities and outcomes in life.

Question 2

To say race is a social construction is to say race:

Accepted Answer

Race is not a fixed concept and varies across time and place. It is influenced by social, cultural, and historical factors. Different societies have different ways of categorizing people based on physical appearance and cultural background, which can change over time.

Question 3

Sociologists George Yancey argues that the groups likely to become white in the next forty years are Latinos and Asian Americans. He argues that African Americas will not "become white" due to:

Accepted Answer

George Yancey's argument encompasses all the options provided: the greater degree of alienation faced by African Americans, racism, and prejudice. These factors collectively contribute to his belief that African Americans are less likely to "become white" in societal terms compared to Latinos and Asian Americans.

Question 4

Latinos have a long trend toward exogamy, which means to:

Accepted Answer

Exogamy means to marry outside of one's group, and Latinos have a long trend of doing so, often marrying outside of their ethnic or national origin group.

Question 5

Sociologist Eduardo Bonilla-Silva presented the Latin Americanization thesis to explain the future of U.S. race relations, which argues:

Accepted Answer

The Latin Americanization thesis argues that the U.S. is shifting from a binary white/non-white racial system to a triracial stratification system. This is because of the increasing presence of Latino and Asian immigrants and their children, who are not easily classified as either white or black. This shift in the racial system is similar to the triracial stratification systems found in many Latin American countries.

Question 6

In Bonilla-Silva's triracial stratification system, a racial status hierarchy exists in which this group is at the bottom:

Accepted Answer

Bonilla-Silva's triracial stratification system posits that white supremacy is maintained through a system of color-blind racism that perpetuates a racial status hierarchy, with non-whites at the bottom. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. Option A (whites) is not at the bottom of the hierarchy, but rather at the top. Option C (white immigrants) may face some degree of discrimination but are still perceived as part of the white category and thus benefit from white privilege. Option D (Asian Americans) have a complex position in the racial hierarchy and are not consistently ranked at the bottom, as their experiences vary by factors such as ethnicity, nationality, and class background.

Question 7

Bonilla-Silva's Latin Americanization thesis is based on this characteristic of Latin America:

Accepted Answer

Bonilla-Silva argues that Latin America's long history of race mixing has created a unique system of racial stratification. Despite this mixing of races, white supremacy continues to exist and is not replaced by a blend of races, resulting in a system where light-skinned people hold more privilege and power. This is known as Latin Americanization of race relations. Therefore, option A is the best choice as it accurately represents Bonilla-Silva's thesis.

Question 8

The racial stratification system in Latin America is based on this, which implies that racial groups are internally stratified along the lines of skin color.

Accepted Answer

The term "colorism" refers to a type of prejudice or discrimination based on skin color. In Latin America, this has resulted in a hierarchical system of racial stratification where lighter-skinned individuals are typically afforded more privileges and opportunities than those with darker skin. This internal stratification within racial groups is a defining characteristic of colorism.

Question 9

This is when elected officials of color fail to advocate for policies that reflect the interests of their constituency and are generally out of touch with the needs and issues facing minority communities.

Accepted Answer

Superficial representation refers to elected officials who may have the same race or ethnicity as their constituency but do not advocate for policies that benefit those communities. This is opposed to substantive representation, where elected officials actively work to advance policies that reflect the concerns and interests of their constituency. Political socialization refers to the process by which individuals learn about the values, beliefs, and norms of the political system. Political capital refers to the resources and influence that a political figure or organization has, which can be used to accomplish political goals.

Question 10

Black politicians are unlikely to win national campaigns, where winning a significant portion of the white vote is necessary, if they are perceived as affiliated with the Civil Rights Movement. This an example of:

Accepted Answer

This statement reflects white privilege in politics, as it implies that black politicians must navigate racial perceptions to appeal to white voters; racism in politics, as it suggests that affiliation with the Civil Rights Movement—a movement for racial equality—can be a liability; and the reality that many black elected officials are elected in predominantly black districts, indicating systemic barriers to broader electoral success.

Question 11

Minority groups need to generate more ___________, the organization and cultural resources necessary to get political systems to work in their favor.

Accepted Answer

Political capital refers to the resources, such as money, networks, and knowledge, that enable individuals and groups to achieve their political goals. Minority groups often lack these resources, making it more difficult for them to influence the political system. Generating more political capital can help these groups gain more political power and influence. Supreme Court support, race discourse, and voting blocs may also be important, but they are not as central to the concept of political capital.

Question 12

Which of the following is a legitimate reason for why there is such a low level of political participation among Latinos.

Accepted Answer

Latinos often face challenges such as frequent relocation, which can make it difficult to maintain voter registration, contributing to lower political participation.

Question 13

This term refers to a group of people that tend to vote in ways that support or oppose particular policies, or when a group votes in a particular way as a reflection of a particular aspect of their identity.

Accepted Answer

A voting bloc is a group of people who share a common interest or identity and tend to vote in a particular way as a reflection of that interest or identity. This can include racial or ethnic minorities, religious groups, or people with shared economic interests. Voting blocs can have a significant impact on elections and political outcomes.

Question 14

Social scientists that study demographic trends are predicting some serious conflict in the political sphere in the near future regarding the intersection of which two trends:

Accepted Answer

Social scientists studying demographic trends have predicted that there will be conflict in the political sphere due to the intersection of increasing percentage of racial minorities and an aged society. This is because as the younger and more diverse generations become a larger part of the population, they may clash with older generations who may hold different views on issues related to race and diversity. Additionally, an aging population may lead to conflicts over resources and social programs, particularly between generations.

Question 15

In the past decade there has been a dramatic increase in this, groups that espouse ideologies that favor people already in a country and are thus hostile to immigrants.

Accepted Answer

Nativism is the belief that favoritism should be given to native-born citizens, often at the expense of immigrants. It has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, particularly in the political sphere.

Question 16

The primary opposition to immigration revolves around economic arguments such as:

Accepted Answer

The primary opposition to immigration, especially undocumented immigration, often includes economic arguments such as undocumented immigrants taking jobs from citizens, working for lower wages which can depress wages for all workers, and non-economic arguments like the association of immigrants with criminal activities, including drug trafficking.

Question 17

Some argue that immigrants offer more to our economy than they take. The following is the best example of this:

Accepted Answer

All options illustrate ways in which immigrants can contribute to the economy: A) by providing labor, B) by paying taxes and contributing to Social Security, and C) by creating jobs through increased economic activity and consumption.

Question 18

Which historical governmental policy limited immigration to 2 percent of each nationality already residing in the U.S.:

Accepted Answer

The National Origins Quota System, which was enacted in 1924, limited immigration to 2 percent of each nationality already residing in the U.S.

Question 19

This act abolished the National Origins Quota system and replaced it with a system that showed preference for an immigrant's skills and their relationship to U.S. citizens.

Accepted Answer

The Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as the Hart-Celler Act, abolished the National Origins Quota system and established a new system based on immigrants' skills and family relationships with U.S. citizens or permanent residents. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. The Chinese Exclusion Act was a law passed in 1882 that prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the United States. The Reed-Johnson Act of 1924 restricted immigration from Eastern and Southern Europe. The DREAM Act is a proposed law that would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as minors.

Question 20

The following legislation, if passed, would have made the path to citizenship by undocumented migrants brought to the U.S. as children easier; their citizenship would have been granted upon their obtaining a college degree or through military service.

Accepted Answer

The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. The act proposed several requirements for eligibility, including obtaining a college degree or serving in the military. However, the DREAM Act has not been passed into law.

Quiz 13: The Future of Race Glossary References Index