Contemporary Racism in America: A Sociological Perspective Essay

This essay critically examines the issue of racism in America, tracing its roots back to the colonial era and analyzing its continued presence in contemporary society. It references studies indicating a growing perception of racism as a major problem, evidenced by disparities in police treatment and incarceration rates among Black Americans. The essay further delves into the debate surrounding race as a social construct versus a biological reality, presenting arguments from various scholars and research findings. Ultimately, the author leans towards the perspective of race as a myth, emphasizing the overwhelming similarity in human DNA and attributing racial divisions to social systems and misunderstandings rather than inherent biological differences. The work concludes by citing various sources that support the arguments presented throughout the essay. Access this essay and many more on Desklib, a platform providing study tools and resources for students.

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June 5, 2018
Racism in America
Racism is an issue that has been a thorn in the flesh of the American society for a long
time. It dates back to the colonial era where social privileges were denied to all other American
races and granted to the White American’s (Henslin 256). Many arguments for and against the
existence of Racism in the modern American Society have been put forth. Although not as
prevalent as it was during the colonial era, Racism still exists in the contemporary America
(Austin para 1).
According to a study carried out in 2017, 58% of the sampled Adult population believed
that Racism was still a major problem in America (Neal para 3). This percentage represented an
8% increase from those who shared the same belief in 2015 and 30% increase from a similar
study carried out in 2011(Neal para 4). An increase in the number of blacks killed by the police
that has grabbed headlines from 2014 is also a signifier of the differences in the experience of
Americans and whites. Racial discrimination is more prevalent among Black Americans than
white Americans (Struyk Para 4). These disparities are also reflected in the number of blacks
incarcerated. The killing of Michael Brown in 2014 by a police officer and subsequent lack of
indictment for the same police by a jury dominated by whites is also a demonstration of the
existence of racial discrimination and injustice in Today’s America (Suresh para 6). Personally, I
have not experienced any discrimination or reverse discrimination.
Race as a reality and a myth

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Race refers to the classification of human beings based on shared social and physical and
social qualities. Apart from social and physical qualities, national affiliations and language have
also been used to construct race. The race has been presented by modern scholars as a symbolic
identity created to establish meaning among a group.
Race as a reality. Scholars have defined race as the continent of origin of one’s ancestors.
Some of these include Americas West Eurasia, East Eurasia, New Guinea, Australia, and Africa.
These isolations are based on last glacial maximum or distance. The race is, therefore, a reality in
that, different racial aspects among the inhabitants of these different regions are observable. For
example, it is quite easy to distinguish an American from an African. Racial differences can also
be determined scientifically ascertained. The race is also a reality in that it can be measured and
accurately determined scientifically. The invention of Modern DNA analysis methods can help
in establishing the exact origin of an individual including the exact location within a continent.
Racial differences are also visible in treatment. Different races have been found to respond
differently to drugs (Shea para 2). Some drugs have been found to be effective in some races and
ineffective in other races. These aspects demonstrate that race is a reality.
Race as a myth. Other scholars have argued against the existence of race by stating that
there is no such a thing as race. A research carried out by through the support UNESCO in the
1950’s pointed out that race was a mere myth and not a reality (Wald Sussman para 1). These
findings were based on a great deal of evidence that had been gathered at that time by the
international panel that was composed of psychologists, Sociologists, Geneticists, and
Anthropologists. From the time that these findings were published, similar accounts have also
been given by researchers across the world including American Association of Physical
Anthropologists (AAPA) and American Anthropological Association (AAA). The common

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agreement among these researchers and other modern researchers has been that the existence of a
biological race is a myth (Wald Sussman para 3).
If I were to chose, I would choose race as a myth. There is much evidence to support the
fact that there is no existence of biological races. Beyond observable skin differences, there are
no other prominent differences among members from different racial groups. Biologists have
argued that the similarity of human DNA is over 99%. What exists in America in the present
day are races based on social reality. This has been because of lack of an understanding of the
fact that humans are equal. It is also based on the existence of social systems that suggest that
some people are superior to other.

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Work Cited
Austin, Algernon. "Why We Are Not Making Progress Against Racism". Demos, 2017,
http://www.demos.org/blog/9/21/17/why-we-are-not-making-progress-against-racism.
Accessed 5 June 2018.
Henslin, James M., et al. Sociology: A down to earth approach. Pearson Higher Education AU,
2015.
Neal, Samantha. "Views Of Racism As A Major Problem Increase Sharply, Especially Among
Democrats". Pew Research Center, 2017,
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/08/29/views-of-racism-as-a-major-problem-
increase-sharply-especially-among-democrats/. Accessed 5 June 2018.
Shea, John. " Refuting A Myth About Human Origins. American Scientist 99 (3): 128-135.".
Academia.Edu, 2011,
http://www.academia.edu/2619482/John_J._Shea_2011_Refuting_a_Myth_About_Huma
n_Origins._American_Scientist_99_3_128-135. Accessed 5 June 2018.
Struyk, Ryan. "Blacks And Whites See Racism In The United States Very, Very Differently".
CNN, 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/16/politics/blacks-white-racism-united-states-
polls/index.html. Accessed 5 June 2018.
Suresh, S. "Racism In America Is Alive And Well". Fair Observer, 2018,
https://www.fairobserver.com/region/north_america/racism-america-charlottesville-alt-
right-neo-nazi-news-headlines-today-94021/ via. Accessed 5 June 2018.
Wald Sussman, Robert. "There Is No Such Thing As Race". Newsweek, 2018,
http://www.newsweek.com/there-no-such-thing-race-283123. Accessed 5 June 2018.