A Sociological Analysis: Examining Racism and Ethnic Discrimination

This essay examines racism and ethnic discrimination as social problems, utilizing structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and social conflict theories. It references a New York Times article by Lopez Bunyasi (2019) on antiracism efforts in the United States, particularly in New York City. ...Read More

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Abstract
In different societies people are faced with arrange of social problems. These problems
can have negative impacts on the social, political and economic development of a certain society.
In this paper racial and ethnic discrimination is going to be discussed in details using structural
functionalism, symbolic interactionism and social conflict theories. An article posted on The
New York Times newspaper by Lopez Bunyasi, T. in the year 2019, highlighting on Antiracism
plight in United States of America is going to be used as reference. The article highlights on the
fight against racism in the New York city. At the end of this paper, the best theory explaining
racism and ethnic discrimination would be determined and reasons behind that determination.
Introduction
Sociological paradigm is simply a perspective or rather a guiding principal describing
how human beings interact and relate in a society. The descriptions depicted from the behavior
of people and how they relate in a certain society can be used to develop hypotheses and
theories. These theories can be used to explain why people in different societies behave in a
particular manner. In every society, different norms, customs and traditions are practiced and are
viewed as what defines a certain people. When a section of people in society starts to behave in a
particular manner that tends to undermine customs and traditions and consequently impacts
negatively on a large number of people, then it is considered a social problem.
Reasonable people in the society would therefore try to come up with strategies to
address these issues before they can cause even greater problems. Racism and ethnic
discrimination for instance have in the recent past posed a great threat in societies. In New York
city in the United States of America a city dominated by the whites; African-Americans and

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other natives are on different occasions fall victims of racism and discriminations. Continues
exposure to racism and discrimination may affect psychological and physiological health of the
victims in society.
According to (Lopez Bunyasi, 2019, p. 1-3) an article posted on The New York Times,
stressors such as racism and discriminations can affect psychological well-being of an individual
and consequently deteriorating his or her physical health. Victims of racism and discrimination
suffer trauma that impacts very negatively on their physical, psychological and social well-being.
This paper tries to highlight on the life of African-Americans citizens in the New York city and
how they are affected by racism and discrimination menace. This social problem can be
explained further using structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism and social conflict
theories.
Structural functionalism
This theory tends to describe functionality of a society. For a particular society to
function, good governance, functioning education and health system, political and economic
stability must exist. All these aspects are interrelated in that they work together for a sense of
stability to be attained. For instance, a section of the law can be used to curb violence in society,
another section can be applied to punish criminal acts while another law can be used to preserve
the economy and public health. However, social problems such as race and ethnicity tend to
undermine efforts put by people in society as stability and functionality are affected in a number
of ways.
Racism and discriminations causes racial inequalities, a dysfunction to the minority in
society. The minority therefore misses on a number of opportunities which they well deserve.

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They lag behind in development and sometimes fails to get the chance to contribute in national
agenda. Another dysfunction of racism and discrimination is an aspect where government or
society fails to take advantage of talents arising from the subjugated groups. These talents
ignored sometimes lead to society undoing in that some make a difference desperately needed for
growth. A lot of time and efforts are also wasted in constructing parallel racial boundaries like
separate schools, churches etc.
Symbolic interactionism
Symbolic interactionism explains how different forms of languages in society can
influence how people interact. Use of a particular language, image, nonverbal cues used in
institutions such radio and TV stations influence on how people interact, this in some occasions
cause stereotype. Cultural symbols are used by different people in society, some may encourage
disunity. Negative symbols impact adversely on the social well-being in society as they can be
used to discriminate on the less fortunate, whites, non-whites, non-Christians, non-Muslims,
male or female etc.
When race and ethnicity symbol is used negatively as a form of identity, unfortunate
people can be segregated and mistreated in a society. Fear and hatred can be demonstrated
among different groupings, blacks and whites for instance may not feel comfortable interacting
freely in society. This can result to social problems such as violence and criminal acts against
one another deterring stability and development. Additionally, a section of people in society can
be neglected totally on the main agenda affecting society. Inequality may be witnessed
prompting violence acts such as terrorism and civil wars.
Social conflict theory

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This theory describes the inequalities people in society all over the world may be faced
with. Due to this inequalities conflicts may erupt between different groupings. In societies
nowadays, people can be discriminated based on their age, sex or gender, ethnicity, religion,
social class and education. Due to these social differences, the dominant group may subject the
minority into arrange of inequalities. Socially, minority with different racial backgrounds can be
despised, their cultural practices can be portrayed as backward. They can be forced to adopt
customs belonging to the dominant groups instead.
Economically, the upper class or rather rich can discriminate against the poor. They can
be denied access to essential services fundamental for their health and physiological well-being.
Similarly, the subjugated groups can be discriminated against their race and origin politically.
For instance, during colonial rule Africans were not allowed to contest for certain posts in their
own countries. The top and most imported positions were only meant for the whites; they were
often deprived of their rights. These inequalities prompted resistance through rebel groups
resulting into civil wars. These wars were so destructive in manner that property were destroyed
and lives lost.
Therefore, it is worth noting that social conflict theory is the best theory explaining
racism and ethnicity as a social problem. The inequalities subjugated groups are subjected to due
to racial discrimination is always so great. Imagine living in country where people despise you
based on the color of your skin, your origin and cultural practices that indeed defines you. A
society that do not offer equal opportunity to people with different racial backgrounds during job
recruitments, elective posts and other aspects. In conclusion, racism and ethnicity is a major
challenge in different society in the world, inequalities subjected on minority groups are so great
and usual cause conflicts and that can best be explained by the social conflict theory.

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Reference
Lopez Bunyasi, T. (2019). Antiracism: An Introduction. By Alex Zamalin. New York: New
York University Press, 2019. 224 pp. $19.95 (paper). The Journal of Race, Ethnicity,
and Politics, 1-3. doi:10.1017/rep.2019.46