Human Relations, a field concerned with social contact, conflict, and accommodation among human beings in groups. Important areas of human relations are: (1) family relations; (2) on-the-job relations; and (3) relations between racial, religious, and nationality or ethnic groups. (Although in the United States the term “ethnic group” is often used for groups of non-English origin who retain a strong outward identity, it formally means any group characterized by a distinctive origin and culture.) This article will concentrate on the third area, generally called race and minority-group relations.
American society is diverse racially, religiously, and ethnically. Racially, for example, there are whites, blacks, Indians, Eskimos, and Asians. Among the various religious groups are Protestants, Catholics, and Jews. The ethnic mix includes, among others, people of English, German, Irish, Polish, Italian, Russian, Mexican, Swedish, and Puerto Rican birth or descent. These various groups have differing outlooks and traditions that sometimes clash, resulting in tension and hostility. This friction is intensified by the fact that some groups have dominant status while others (generally referred to as minority groups) are considered subordinate.
From its earliest history, American culture has been predominantly white, Anglo-Saxon (relating to English descent), and Protestant. Other racial, religious, or ethnic groups that immigrated to the United States, or were brought (blacks), or were inhabitants prior to colonial times (American Indians) had to accommodate themselves to the dominant culture. The pace and extent of assimilation (the process of being absorbed into the cultural tradition) has varied from group to group and for members within a group.
Minorities often have been hampered by prejudice and discrimination. Prejudice is a hostile, negative attitude characterized by stereotyped (fixed) beliefs about the inferiority of others. Discrimination is the disadvantageous treatment given to others because of prejudice. At various times such groups as blacks, Indians, Asian-Americans, Hispanic Americans, southern Europeans, Catholics, and Jews have been objects of economic, political, or social discrimination. Examples include residential restrictions, job limitations, and school segregation. Although laws have eliminated some discriminatory treatment, the problems of discrimination and prejudice have remained.
A variety of organizations work at finding solutions to intergroup problems and promoting equality of treatment and opportunity and cultural diversity. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Conference of Christians and Jews are two such agencies. Research, education, action programs, negotiation, and legislation are among the techniques used to advance intergroup harmony.
