SOC 110: Building Material Society Essay: US Race Issues

This essay, written for SOC 110, explores misconceptions surrounding race in the United States. It addresses the question of whether to stop discussing race, analyzing societal changes and the complexities of the US racial system, referencing Bonilla-Silva's tri-racial theory. The essay further examines the effectiveness of race-based policies, drawing upon the work of Gustave Le Bon to explore group psychology and emotional factors influencing racial groups. Finally, it investigates the role of race-based organizations in solving racial problems, considering the impact of prejudice and the shift towards multicultural and integrated solutions, referencing Lewin and Heider's principles of human behavior. The essay aims to provide insights into the dynamics of race in the US and potential paths toward resolving racial issues.

Name:
Instructor:
Subject: SOC 110 HM Building Material Society
Word Count: 515
Date: 28 April 2018
Misconceptions in the US Racial Factor
Misconceptions about the US racial conflicts raise questions about the validity of media research
notions, which have highlighted some of these causes. Some of these researchers feel that
ignoring race and sweeping its effects under the carpet is one way to solve the problem. For
example it shuns the animosity between blacks in the US and white law reinforces. Some
proponents also reveal that putting an end to race-inspired policies like affirmative action is
appropriate because these only increases the problem because more people feel insecure. An
example of this is in the quest for the abolition of immigration laws that allow Mexicans to work
in the US. Still, others indicate that ending race-based organizations has no fruits because the
racial stereotyping still continues. This is evident in the results of the 2016 US elections, which
had racial connotations. So, what exactly is the appropriate solution for ending racism and its
effects?
Research Question 1. Should we stop talking about race?
Social scientists point out that that the society is changing. Drastic changes in society means
solutions are not permanent. Bonilla-Silva (2004) identifies these changes indicating that the US
is no longer a biracial society comprising of the majority and minority groups. Instead, the US
has a complex racial system. He highlights factors such as historical roots. The analysis argues

that even though the US stands out as a united states, it has different people who share an
experience. These past records unite the groups defining their group dynamics. From the theory,
anyone researching on racial segregation by a group must first understand such group’s
dynamics. It is important to have a grasp of the group’s unity factors such as the personal,
leadership and environmental aspects. Important theorists in this theory include Gustave Le Bon
who highlights the group psychology model (Le Bon, 2009). It also discuses Kurt Lewin who
points out the group dynamics notion that defines people’s actions in different
circumstances (Lewin and Heider).
Question 2: Can race based policies work?
Gustave Lebon goes deeper to analyse factors influencing groups as emotional and based on
individuals. This explains why Blacks and Latinos in the US feel connected to each other.
Factors influencing their union include economic oppression, cruelty, and prejudice. The use of
policies does not factor in the emotional pains they have undergone. Racial groups who worked
under oppressive regimes have records of unresolved economic inequalities. These are
responsible for social and economic classes (Le Bon 117). Collective groups share a social
identity. These define and gives them distinctiveness. Pains of the undesirable experiences
influence the behaviour depicted by each member. This culminates into stereotypes or
perceptions that they have against an oppressor.
Question 3: Can based organizations offer a solution to racial problems in the US?
Lewin & Heider (2015) connect human behavior to events in the society. They develop
principles that provide an understanding of their human behavior. The Society in the US
comprises of people who may not have approved of a united country. This questions the
significance of organization as a solution to racial issues. Despite the intermarriages and social

integration efforts, individuals in the Latino and Black minority groups still hold prejudices.
Color differences is a major factor. Based on these, researchers have shifted focus from racism as
a problem into challenges of multiculturalism and integrated solutions (Coulton). This solution is
effective for many reasons. It provides an alternative solution from a multidimensional angle. It
also offers a multidimensional approach and it incorporates a solution to psychological injustices
that individuals could be harboring.

Works Cited
Bonilla-Silva, Edwardo. "From bi-racial to tri-racial; Towards a new system of racial
stratification in the USA." Ethnic and Racial Studies 27.6 (2004): 931-950. Web.
<http://research.pugetsound.edu/c.php?g=304552&p=2031344>.
Coulton, Claudio. "Defining neighbourhoods for research and policy." Cityscape 65.1 (2012):
231-236. Web. <Coulton, C. "Defining neighbourhoods for research and policy."
Cityscape 65.1 (2012): 231-236>.
Le Bon, Gustaave. Psychology of crowds, Kindle Edition. Sparkling Books Limited, 2009. Print.
Lewin, Kurt and Fritz Heider. Principles of topological Psychology. Martino Fine Books, 2015.
Print