Sociology Assignment: Media, Crime, and Race - UK Perspective

This homework assignment analyzes an article on racial inequality in the UK, focusing on how media portrays crime and race. The student reflects on personal perceptions of racism, agreeing with the author's points about immigration and ethnic minority disparities while also offering counterarguments about economic factors and class. The assignment includes discussion questions about the future of racism, Martin Luther King Jr.'s views, punishments for racial discrimination, and the current state of racism in the UK. The student provides references to support the analysis, demonstrating an understanding of the complex interplay between media representations, societal biases, and the lived experiences of different ethnic groups within the UK.

Running head: MEDIA, CRIME AND RACE
Media, Crime and Race
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1Running head: MEDIA, CRIME AND RACE
Article link:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/racial-inequality-uk-racial-disparity-
audit-government-report-theresa-may-bme-black-ethnic-minority-a7992016.html
Why I have chosen the article
I have chosen the topic of Race and Racism as because of the fact that this course has
made me to re-evaluate my own perceptions regarding the issue of race and racism in my
country. I think this article- “Racial inequality in UK: The appalling reality of how a Briton's
ethnicity affects their chances of a good life”, is much relevant to the chosen topic as well to
the world today (The Independent 2018). Racism has always been learned by us since our
childhood but the harsh reality is that the issue is still not solved out, particularly in a major
country like UK. From the elementary school onwards, I was taught that the issue of racism
or racial discrimination is one of the malicious act of some bad people. The main focus has
always been on the victims and in this process, the true perpetrators are always ignored. As it
is stated by Pegggy Mclntosh- “My schooling gave me no training in seeing myself as an
oppressor, as an unfairly advantaged person, or as a participant in a damaged culture.” It is to
state that Racism is not only about some hateful individuals, in fact, it is much more than that.
It is preserved by the system in fact. Notwithstanding this fact, we were never taught of
recognising that, we were never taught of examining the privileges that we get, we were
never taught of the system that keeps these privileges intact. I always used to take this for
granted that the concept of race was a tangible and real one, until and unless I read this article
that demonstrates that it indeed is still prevailing and that is in my own country.
Whether you agree or disagree with the author
Yes, I agree to some extent with the author of this article as because of the fact that at
present, immigration is one of the major issues that is prevailing in UK. The people are at

2Running head: MEDIA, CRIME AND RACE
present caught up in the hostile environment for being illegal immigrants and this has in turn
strengthened the role of the workplaces in order to carry out the immigration checks. There is
indeed notable differences in the life results of the British ethnic minorities as well as the
white people. However, there are some other points as well where I completely disagree with
the author. It is not how a democracy, visibly blind to the colour and race, has failed them, in
fact it is how an assuredly rich country has failed each and every one who starts own their life
in extreme poverty. Our economy has been for far too long indulged to the greedy, while
ignoring the benefits or advantages to this society of securing the opportunities for everyone,
not withstanding of the dice roll of paternity. In generations to come, this singularly offensive
disparity will be looked back on with scorn, and the proponents of Thatcherism written down
as divisive fascists in all but name. All that this article does is feed into the oppression
complexes and permits probably assists pick up minority votes for the Tories. It certainly
does not 'prove' anything that the headline pretends. Showing correlation doesn't 'prove'
causation. There is absolutely no attempt to demonstrate race is the cause. Indeed, the huge
discrepancies in education between similar 'races' indicates it's not race at all that's the issue.
Culture and socioeconomics appear the issue. If you are 'poor', belong from working class as
well as from a cultural group that does not value education or something like that, you seem
to do worse. White, working class boys (AGAIN) come out poorly, along with working class
of all races, in particularly black. So, being an ethnic minority and working class, again, gets
more attention than white working class. I wonder why the white, working class are
supporting the popular groups, when they are being clearly ignored.
Questions for seminar discussion.
1. Do you think that racism in our country would ever disappear?
2. Discuss this below quotations of Martin Luther King JR.

3Running head: MEDIA, CRIME AND RACE
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless
midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can
never become a reality.... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love
will have the final word.”
3. What do you think about the best punishments for the guilty of racial discrimination
or racism?
4. Is racism getting worse than before or it is disappearing in our country?

4Running head: MEDIA, CRIME AND RACE
References:
The Independent. (2018). The appalling reality of how a Briton's ethnicity affects their
chances of a good life. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-
news/racial-inequality-uk-racial-disparity-audit-government-report-theresa-may-bme-black-
ethnic-minority-a7992016.html [Accessed 1 Jul. 2018].