¶ … Race Theory
The issues of race and its ramifications are some of the most pressing issues facing American society today, and will continue to challenge us in the decades to come. Of course, issues of race and socio-economic stratification have always been of vast importance, but in America the problems are magnified since the country and its people pride themselves on being a true melting pot, and the reality does not always match the ideals.
One way of examining race is the functionalist theory or perspective. The functionalist theory of social inequality contends that stratification exists because it is beneficial for society. Society must focus on and with human motivation because the duties associated with the various statuses are not all equally pleasant to the human species, important to social survival,...
Race and U.S. Imperialism When analyzing European imperialism (particularly that which occurred within the United States) it is crucial to note the role that race played in it. There is evidence that indicates that at one point, race itself became more of a factor in the justification of imperialism and the institutions which facilitated it and engendered its success than even religion did. Race was principally used to account for a
While that line of thinking is seductive, because it suggests an easy solution for complex problems, like racism; West believes that the real solutions will require people to question their own fundamental assumptions about power and its relationship to racism. Specifically, West talks about how racism is inherently linked to classification, and, in fact, that "the genealogy of racism in the modern West is inseparable from the appearance of
Furthermore, while acknowledging that there was a consciousness of whiteness and white superiority in other lands, such as England, Roediger points out that part of the Americanization process for European immigrants was to become white, and that this process involved internalizing feelings of racism and hatred towards blacks. Affirmative Action and the Politics of Race by Manning Marable Manning Marable is a pro-affirmative action author, and he begins his essay by
Essed notes the profound perceived threat to power experienced by those in the majority feel when even small encroachments are made by other groups into the dominant fabric of society, and how tacit racism against minorities is often allowed even by those who might not consider themselves prejudiced on an interactional and personal level (184). In short, the institutional racism of society inevitably affects interpersonal relations, even amongst people
Race & Ethnicity A methodological purist, Gillborn's analysis of the British education system inside the visual vein of race and ethnicity supports a totalitarian failure, plainly capitulated in "Fifty Years of Failure: 'Race' and Education Policy in Britain." (Gillborn, 1999) The 1980s brought with it a governmental trend in Britain, shifting policies from the basis of conviction to consensus. This quickening theoretical policy shift caused great concern, tacking on yet another
Race and Genetics Regardless of the way we look at it, race is indeed a subject that has much influence on the social, political as well as economic relations of people. Historically, supposed differences existing between individuals on the basis of race have been developed and sustained for various reasons. This has in some instances turned race into a highly emotive and divisive issue. However, it is important to note that
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