Exploring Social Inequality And Identity WLOS 1 2 Clos 1 2 3

Exploring Social Inequality And Identity Wlos 1 2 Clos 1 2 3

Exploring Social Inequality and Identity [WLOs: 1, 2] [CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Prior to beginning work on this discussion read Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 of the course textbook, watch the video Wealth Inequality in America, read the articles Comparing Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter, and I Was a Civil Rights Activist in the 1960s. But It’s Hard for Me to Get Behind Black Lives Matter, and perform your own research. This discussion will help you think about the varied aspects of social inequality and identity that are at the foundation of public sociology.

In your initial post, thoroughly address the following providing specifics to support your presentation of the course content:

• What is social stratification?
• What is social mobility?
• After watching the video Wealth Inequality in America, respond to the following questions:
  • How is wealth distributed in American society?
  • How is this distribution influenced by social forces?
  • How do you define “The American Dream” and do you think it still exists?
  • Is it possible to reverse this trend? Explain why or why not.
• What are the sociological definitions of sex, gender, intersex, and transgender?
• How do we learn and create our gender?
• What are race and ethnicity?
• What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination?
• After reading the articles, Comparing Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter and I Was a Civil Rights Activist in the 1960s. But It’s Hard for Me to Get Behind Black Lives Matter, respond to the following questions:
  • What is the primary message of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement?
  • What are some similarities between the BLM and the Civil Rights movement?
  • What are some differences?
  • In the second article, the author is quite critical of the BLM movement. Could this critique be due to generational differences? Could it be due to perspectives related to religious or conservative perspectives?
  • Why do you think the United States is still grappling with issues of racial discrimination today?
  • What can be done to reduce racial prejudices and discrimination in America?

Your initial post should be at least 700 words, support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references.

Paper For Above instruction

Social stratification refers to the structured ranking of individuals and groups in a society based on their access to resources, power, and prestige. It establishes a hierarchy that influences life chances, including economic opportunities, education, and social mobility. Social mobility, on the other hand, denotes the ability of individuals or groups to move within this hierarchy, either upward or downward, over their lifetime or across generations. The degree of social mobility in a society reflects its openness and fairness, indicating whether socioeconomic status is inherited or can be altered through individual efforts and societal structures.

Analyzing wealth distribution in the United States, as depicted in the video "Wealth Inequality in America," reveals a highly skewed pattern where a small percentage of the population controls a significant portion of the nation's wealth. According to recent data, approximately 20% of Americans hold nearly 90% of the wealth, creating a substantial gap between the wealthy and the rest of society. This concentration of wealth is influenced by various social forces, including inheritance, education disparities, access to capital, and systemic biases that favor the privileged. Factors such as economic policy, tax structures, and historical inequalities reinforce this division, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and affluence.

The American Dream embodies the belief that individual effort, hard work, and perseverance can lead to prosperity and upward social mobility. However, contemporary evidence suggests that the dream remains elusive for many due to entrenched structural barriers like economic inequality, educational disparities, and discrimination. While some argue that social mobility can be improved through policy reforms, such as increased access to quality education and fair taxation, reversing the current trends requires systemic change. This involves addressing the root causes of inequality, dismantling barriers that limit opportunities for marginalized groups, and creating a more equitable economic system.

Sociologically, sex is defined as the biological differences between males, females, and intersex individuals, while gender refers to the social and cultural roles, behaviors, and expectations associated with being male or female. Intersex individuals are born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. Transgender describes individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender is learned through socialization processes, including family, education, media, and peer interactions, which shape our understanding of gender roles and expectations from early childhood.

Race refers to the social categories constructed based on physical characteristics such as skin color, hair texture, and facial features, often linked to historical and cultural contexts. Ethnicity pertains to shared cultural practices, language, religion, and ancestry. Although race and ethnicity are socially constructed, they significantly influence individual experiences and societal interactions, often perpetuating stereotypes and systemic inequalities.

Prejudice involves preconceived negative attitudes or stereotypes about individuals or groups based on their social characteristics. Discrimination, however, refers to the actual behaviors and actions that treat people unfairly due to prejudiced beliefs. While prejudice exists as an internal attitude, discrimination manifests externally through policies, practices, and social interactions that perpetuate inequality.

Regarding the articles on the Civil Rights movement and Black Lives Matter (BLM), the primary message of BLM emphasizes combating systemic racism and police brutality targeting Black communities. It advocates for racial justice, accountability, and equality through protests, policy reforms, and raising awareness. Both BLM and the Civil Rights movement seek racial equality; however, the Civil Rights movement primarily focused on legal segregation, voting rights, and ending discriminatory laws of the 1960s. In contrast, BLM addresses contemporary issues such as mass incarceration, racial profiling, and economic disparities, reflecting evolving social challenges.

There are notable differences, including BLM's decentralized structure and use of social media to mobilize activism, whereas the Civil Rights movement was more organized under prominent leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and focused on legislative change. The critique in the second article may stem from generational differences, with older generations potentially perceiving BLM’s methods or messaging as disruptive or contrasting with their experiences. Perspectives rooted in religious or conservative values might also influence criticism, especially regarding protests and demands for systemic change.

The persistent issues of racial discrimination in the U.S. are rooted in historical legacies of slavery, segregation, and ongoing systemic biases. Structural inequalities in education, employment, and criminal justice continue to disproportionately impact Black communities. Additionally, societal attitudes, implicit biases, and lack of effective policies contribute to the persistence of racial prejudices.

Reducing racial prejudices and discrimination requires a multifaceted approach: education programs to foster understanding and cultural competence, policy reforms targeting economic and social inequalities, and community engagement initiatives promoting dialogue and empathy. Legal protections must be strengthened to address discriminatory practices, and leadership efforts should work toward dismantling systemic barriers that sustain racial disparities.

References

• Bobo, L. D. (2011). Racial Attitudes and Public Policy. Annual Review of Sociology, 27, 113-123.
• Cohen, C. (2016). Race, Class, and the Civil Rights Movement. Harvard University Press.
• Gilroy, P. (2000). The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness. Verso Books.
• Kozol, J. (2005). The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America. Crown.
• McAdam, D. (2011). Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency. University of Chicago Press.
• Saad, L. (2016). Racial attitudes and perceptions in America. Gallup Poll findings.
• Schaefer, R. T. (2016). Race and Ethnicity: The Basics. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Wilkinson, R., & Pickett, K. (2010). The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone. Penguin Books.
• Zuberi, T., & Bonilla-Silva, E. (Eds.). (2008). White Logic, White Methods: Racism and Methodology. Rowman & Littlefield.
• Johnson, A. G. (2006). Privilege, Power, and Difference. McGraw-Hill Education.