Theoretical Perspectives on Race and Ethnicity

Race and Ethnicity SOCI 1306 Theoretical Perspectives on Race and Ethnicity Functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism are the three main sociological vantage points from which we may analyse racial and ethnic differences. Consider which of these hypotheses makes the most sense and why as you go through them. According to functionalism, every component of society has a purpose that promotes social stability, order, and unity. As a result, we see peaceful interactions between individuals of different racial and ethnic backgrounds in a condition of social equilibrium. When one or more racial or ethnic groups face prejudice and inequality, issues result. The social structure briefly becomes dysfunctional as a result of the strain and conflict this causes. For instance, demonstrations calling for racial justice and reforms to American policing were sparked by the 2020 death of a Black man named George Floyd at the hands of a White police officer. Changes and compensating adjustments are needed in the police department and other sections of the system in order to return society to its pre-disturbed condition or to find a new equilibrium. A further method to apply the functionalist viewpoint to race and ethnicity is to talk about how racism might improve societal cohesion by fortifying ties between members of the in-group by isolating out-group members. Think about how denying outsiders access may strengthen a community's bonds. Rose (1951), on the other hand, proposed that racism's dysfunctions include the underutilization of talent within the oppressed group and the necessity for society to refocus its time and resources on maintaining racial borders that have been arbitrarily drawn. Before the civil rights struggle, just think of the resources—cash, time, and labor—that were used to perpetuate segregated and unequal educational institutions. According to functionalism, racial and ethnic disparities had to have had a significant purpose for as long as they have existed. There are instances where this idea might be harmful. In what ways might discrimination and racism benefit society? Nash (1964) centred his argument on how racism serves the interests of the dominant group, arguing, for instance, that racism ethically defends racial inequality in society. Think about the arguments used by slave owners to defend slavery in the antebellum South: that Black people were essentially inferior to White people and that they chose slavery over freedom. Racial and ethnic identity are powerful symbols for symbolic interactionists. Indeed, some interactionists argue that racism is caused by the symbols of race rather than race itself. According to renowned interactionist Herbert Blumer (1958), interactions between members of the dominant group are what shape racial prejudice; without these contacts, members of the dominant group would not have racist beliefs. By fostering an abstract image of the subordinate group, these exchanges help the dominant group uphold the status quo by enabling it to defend its perception of the subordinate group. An illustration of this would be someone who has never met a member of the group in question, hence their opinions about that group are based solely on the representations of that group in the media. Analysing how individuals describe their own and other people's races is another approach to apply the interactionist viewpoint. How did certain people who identify as Black or White come to label themselves as such? certain White people have more skin pigmentation than some Black people. Conflict theories are frequently used to analyse racial, ethnic, social class, gender, and educational disparities. A conflict theory analysis of American history would look at the various historical and contemporary conflicts that exist between the White ruling class and racial and ethnic minorities, highlighting those that have occurred specifically when the dominant group has felt threatened by the minority group. Jim Crow laws, which severely curtailed Black political and social authority, were enacted in the late nineteenth century in response to the growing influence of Black Americans following the Civil War. For instance, Vivien Thomas (1910–1985), a Black surgical technician who contributed to the development of the revolutionary surgical method that preserves the lives of 'blue babies', was paid and categorised as a caretaker for a considerable amount of time, even though he was carrying out intricate surgical studies. Since the Civil War, there has been a consistent pattern of attempts to deny people the right to vote, including gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics directed at neighbourhoods with a high minority population. Intersection theory, first introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, is a feminist sociology Patricia Hill Collins's (1990) further development of the idea that we cannot isolate the influences of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and other characteristics (Figure 11.4). In examining race and its benefits and drawbacks, it is critical to recognise that our perception of race is influenced by a variety of factors, including our class and gender. The way we experience race is shaped by the intersection of several levels of disadvantage. To comprehend prejudice, for instance, we need to know that the multilayered prejudice that targets an Asian woman living in poverty is influenced by stereotypes about her ethnicity, poverty, and gender, whereas the prejudice directed towards a White woman because of her gender is quite different. Think about the portion of identify pieces that are shown here. The elements in the inner circle are often seen to be more permanent, whereas the ones in the outside ring are typically those that can change somewhat frequently. (There are undoubtedly some exclusions.) What role does each play in your identity, and how may a change affect how you describe yourself?