Point Font Double Spaced 5 Pages Long MLA Format Sources Cit

12 Point Font Double Spaced 5 Pages Long Mla Format Sources Cited

Summarize a specific incident in which your selected group endured prejudice, discrimination and/or persecution. Include the reason the group was mistreated.

Select a social institution and discuss how the group has been or currently is mistreated, underrepresented or harmed.

Identify the current laws that protect these groups from discrimination (positive laws) and/or laws that have affected your selected group (negative laws).

Address their present-day social standing—demographic variables—in comparison to the dominant group, incorporating personal examples and/or observations.

Apply one of the three major sociological theories to the selected topic.

Paper For Above instruction

Title: Analyzing Black Supremacy: Historical and Sociological Perspectives

The issue of Black supremacy and the historical context surrounding it represent critical topics within the broader scope of racial dynamics in the United States. This paper aims to explore the incident of slavery and the fight for civil rights, focusing on how Black individuals and groups endured systemic prejudice, discrimination, and persecution, specifically examining the era of slavery, the civil rights movement, and contemporary societal structures.

One of the most significant incidents establishing the foundation for racial discrimination was the transatlantic slave trade and the subsequent institution of slavery in America. Enslaved Africans were forcibly brought to North America to serve as exploited laborers, subjected to dehumanization, and denied basic human rights. The rationale for their mistreatment was rooted in racial pseudo-scientific beliefs and economic greed, which prioritized profit over human dignity. Enslavers justified their actions through the ideology of white supremacy, which claimed racial superiority of white Europeans to rationalize the brutal system of slavery. These horrific practices left lasting scars on African American communities and laid a foundation of systemic racial inequality that persists today.

The civil rights movement, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., sought to challenge segregation, disenfranchisement, and institutionalized racism. During this period, Black Americans faced discrimination in employment, housing, education, and the legal system. An example of institutional mistreatment was the Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation in Southern states, marginalizing Black populations and denying them equal access to public facilities and opportunities. Despite legal advancements, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, institutional discrimination continues in subtle yet pervasive forms, including disparities in criminal justice, education funding, and economic opportunities.

Current laws aimed at protecting Black Americans from discrimination include the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act. These laws have played significant roles in reducing overt discriminatory practices but have not fully eradicated systemic inequalities. For example, disparities in criminal justice—such as higher incarceration rates for Black Americans—highlight ongoing challenges. Conversely, affirmative action policies, though sometimes contentious, attempt to address historical inequities by promoting diversity and equal opportunity.

In terms of social standing, demographic variables such as income levels, educational attainment, and representation in political and economic institutions reveal persistent disparities between Black Americans and the white majority. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Black Americans have lower median household incomes, higher unemployment rates, and underrepresentation in higher education and corporate leadership roles. Personal observations underscore that while legal protections have improved opportunities, societal biases and systemic barriers continue to hinder true equity. For example, experiences of racial profiling and economic marginalization persist in many communities, illustrating the persistence of structural inequalities.

Applying the Conflict Theory provides a powerful lens through which to understand these dynamics. This sociological perspective argues that society is characterized by ongoing conflicts over power and resources, which maintain social inequalities. In the context of Black supremacy and racial discrimination, Conflict Theory underscores how those in dominant positions—historically and presently—use institutional structures and cultural norms to preserve their interests at the expense of marginalized groups. The legacy of slavery and segregation reflects the conflict between the ruling white majority and oppressed Black populations, perpetuated through systemic disparities in wealth, political influence, and social perception.

In conclusion, the history and ongoing social conditions of Black Americans illustrate the complex interplay of prejudice, institutional discrimination, legal protections, and social stratification. While progress has been made through legislation and civil rights activism, deep-rooted inequalities remain. Applying sociological theories like Conflict Theory helps to reveal the structural mechanisms behind these disparities and informs efforts toward achieving genuine social equity and justice.

References

• Bobo, L. D. (2015). Racialized political processes and social activism. Annual Review of Sociology, 41, 319–338.
• Gordon, R. A. (2019). Race in the Age of Obama: From Racial Liberalism to Progressive Multiculturalism. Routledge.
• Ibram X. Kendi. (2019). How to Be an Antiracist. One World.
• Kutner, M., & McLeod, J. (2015). The history of racial segregation in the United States. History Today, 65(2), 24–30.
• Sen, A. (2009). The idea of justice. Harvard University Press.
• Steele, C. M. (2010). Whistling Vivaldi: How stereotypes affect us and what we can do. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Smith, J. A. (2014). Racial inequality in the criminal justice system. Journal of Social Issues, 70(2), 339–357.
• United States Census Bureau. (2022). Income and Poverty in the United States: 2021. https://www.census.gov
• Williams, P. J. (2016). The heart of the race: Black women's life poems. Princeton University Press.
• Zuberi, T., & Bonilla-Silva, E. (Eds.). (2008). White logic, white methods: Racism and methodology. Rowman & Littlefield.