Geography's interst in the subject of race has concentrated on the measurement and significance of residential segregation. Residential segregation based on race is a reality in our society. In the next section, the concept of a Chinatown will be discussed, but there are also other examples for your consideration. People live in different geographic areas becuase of racial segregation. Geography and racial identity are intimately tied together.
People construct their identity in relation to where they live.
Geographic segregation allows the dominant culture to reinforce sterotypes and ethnic groups often internalize and perpetuate them. Often people develop identites associated with the sterotypes of inner-city pople. Cultural expression of these identites are found in rap music or other genres. Many people of other races are socially constructed as immigrants and they are attributed certain characteristics by the dominant culture. The Other H istorically, geographers were the founders of race theory.