Race is an ascribed status based on a physical characteristic or characteristics of a person. However, race is not biologically meaningful. Race can be the basis of prejudice, which can lead to the action of discrimination, which as a whole contributes to racism. When thinking of racism, it is part of the bigger picture, is not simply an issue that occurs on a small scale. This social issue has the same basis as any other social issue of this type: inequality. Rules are unequally applied to social groups because of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Racism just happens to be the discrimination against someone based simply on their race; other examples are discrimination based on gender (sexism) and discrimination based on class (Saints vs Rough Necks). Sometimes this discrimination and hatred can occur not on purpose, but rather from an internal prejudice not necessarily recognized.
Overall, racial stratification leads to economic inequality amongst groups because of the different types of discrimination. Throughout history the affect of race can be seen. From slavery in the 19th century, to the civil rights era in the 1950s and 60s, African Americans faced so much adversity, simply because of their race. White privilege still stands alongside racism today, just maybe not as explicitly they did 60 years ago.
Something that really sticks out is the fact that there is so much stratification between whites and blacks today, almost 150 years after the abolition of slavery. I knew that there was some space between races, but did not know that is what this severe. For example, while government policies appear to be neutral, they still harm the black race. Look at tax cuts, crime policies, and local school funding to name a few. Also, recent data shows that black families make just 61% to white families’ yearly income. It does not just stop there; there is also data showing that criminal record more adversely affects an African Americans job search compared to a white’s job search. The data goes on: callback rates for both black men and women are lower for not only jobs at skill level, but also low wage jobs. The truth is in the numbers, race is affecting job search, therefor affecting economic equality in America.
Another point that is noteworthy is the data on the relationship between race and punishments and incarcerations. This concept presents itself in populations as young as pre-school. A study in 2012 shows that 48% of the expulsions in pre-schools were administered on black children, compared to 26% administered to whites. This trend carries into adulthood for the black population. The percentage of young black men to the total American population is only 13%, but the percentage of young black men in comparison to the total incarcerated population is a much larger 40%.
I took a lot from this lecture, but the two topics that were highlighted really shocked me. I have a lot of questions about it all. Why isn’t the topic of racism talked about in the way sexism is? Why does the white social frame hold up so strongly in America, even though it is supposed to be considered a “melting pot”? How does the stratification of races and the inequality in the government become so over looked?
I was most surprised to learn about the inequality in job opportunities between whites and blacks. The part that is most confusing about this is that you always hear about the inequality between genders in the work force. Yes, while the gender conversation is important, so is the racial conversation. It appears to be mostly ignored, and I have never heard of the data presented in class before lecture. In my opinion, people are afraid to discuss the topic of race and often shy away from it, in fear of offending or disappointing someone. But the truth is, it needs to be talked about.
The Black Lives Matter movement is very controversial; some see it is an anti-police movement, others see it as a sort of “fake news.” This is all part of the bigger picture. America as a society chooses to believe that the nation is fair and equal, and everyone has ample opportunity to succeed. You don’t. If you are poor, you start off on the wrong foot, and if you are poor and black, you are really behind. As a white woman, I do find it sort of difficult to put myself in a black person’s shoes. Going back to Black Lives Matter, I have never thought to fear a cop, but rather to look up to them and find comfort in their presence. I will never face the stereotype a young black man would face when dealing with a police officer. Maybe that is why I did not realize how serious this issue is, as I was blissfully unaware of some harsh truths.
As a nation, the United States cannot just pretend that events such as Charlottesville just did not happen. People are being killed because of their race. People are being held back because of their race. It is happening today. Prejudice is alive and real in 2018 and choosing to pretend it is not is borderline ignorant.