Exam 2 Flashcards
What is social stratification
refers to a systematic inequalities between groups of people that arise as intended or unintended consequences of social processes and relationships
how does social stratification shape society ?
it persists over generations maintained through beliefs that are widely shared
in what way does social stratification have very real consequences for individuals?
Groups at the top of this ierarchy have greater access to goods and services than members at the bottom
What is a meritocracy
a belief system that justifies social arrangements if you work hard you will advance. Everyone has the same opportunities depnds on how hard you work
WHy is this an important concept when assessing American society?
This is the american ideology
i. equality of opportunity
ii. equality of respect
iii. individualism
iv. freedom to and from limited government interference
Do we live in a a true meritocracy in the US
no because we have inequality and privilege
inequality
there is tension between those with access to resources an those limited access denied access to resources and actions
privilege
an unearned advantage that results from our stratification system which makes life easier for some based upon group membership. It is an invisible weightless knapsack. We recognize disadvantage but struggle to recognize one’s over privilege
conferred dominance
giving a group power to be superior even if thy did nothing to earn it
unearned entitlements
thing of value that all people should have such as feeling safe in public spaces or working in a place where they feel they belong and are valued for waht they can contribute
What are invisible assurances ad what are some examples of the invisible assurances of being white
i. whites can find themselves in the company of their race with little effort
ii. some examples are whites seeing positive and frequent images of themselves on tv, magazines they can easily find someone to cut their hair white band aids
why do we struggle to recognize “over privilege”
privilege is an invisible, weightless, knapsack resources are handed you . we recognize disadvantage and struggle to recognize one’s over privilege –. bad outcome giving something up
what is a racial ideology
set of principles and idreas that divide people into racial groups
why are racial ideologies important to understand even if they are factually inaccurate in terms of explaining racial inequality?
it serves the interest of the dominant group
Biological racism
idea that whites are genetically superior to not whites
Cultural racism
way of thinking that attributes disadvantaged racial groups lack of prosperity to their behavior and culture (rather than structural factiors
ex cultural racism
culturally based explanations (black live in poor neighborhoods because they don’t work hard)
color blind universalism
we should ignore skin color best way to remedy racial inequality is through universalist programs that help everyone, regardless of race does not rely on ideas of racial inferiority
racial ideologies and old racism
biolgical racism
old racism
overt in nature; out in public
racial ideologies and new racism
cultural racism
new racism
more covert in nature
Why is new racism more dangerous
harder to call out, more covert in nature making it hard to own up to
Color blind racism?
a. a racial ideology that explains contemporary racial inequality as the outcome of non racial dynamics naturally occuring phenomena and non whites supposed cultural limitations
b. incorporates aspects of both cultural racism and colorblind universalism
c. ignores or marginalizes ppl of color distinctive needs experience identites
central elements of colorblind racism
a. increasingly covert in nature of racial discourse and practices
b. avoidance of raical terminology and the every growing claim by whites they they experience reverse racims
c. invisibility of most mechanism that reproduce racial inequalities
d. incorporation of “safe minorities” to signify the non racialism of the polit ex obama
4 frames of colorblind racism
abstract liberalism
naturalism
cultural racism
minimization of racism
abstract liberalism
tis frame involves using liberal ideas such as equality of opportunity or freedom or choice to explain or justify racial inequalities
ex. african americans live in undeserved poor neighborhoods because they choose so
naturalism
this frame permits people to explain racial phenomena as if they were natural
ex. blacks lived in undeserved poor neighborhoods becasue people like to be around other people who are like them
cultural racism ex
blacks live in undeserved poor neighborhoods because they don’t work hard and lazy
minimization of racism
suggests that discrimination is no longer a central factor i affecting life chances for poor people
ex. blacks live in undeserved poor neighborhoods is a coincidence. Racism rarely happens anymore
Why does Bonilla- ilva argue that color blind racism is hegemonic racial ideology of American society today
because people use racial frames to justify and reproduce racial inequality
Coercion
power by force use of police, military, courts, obey rules
hegemony
power by use of ideas and values to persuade people that power structure is legit
how do we become prejudiced?
agents of socialization (influencing)
i. parents, friends, teachers, (on going process that continues)
What does Gans “predict” our racial structure will look like in the future
–argues that class is going to become much more of an important factor. Argues that breakdown of US society is going to be diferent there will be blacks/ non black instead of white non whites as well as residual category