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Example research essay topic: Ethnic Minorities Institutional Racism - 1,937 words

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The issue to be discussed is complex and full of various intertwining ideologies and components. All forms of prejudice share similar traits to begin with yet, sexism and racism can be dealt with individually, as well as jointly, for instance being a black woman, you are discriminated against on both levels 1, so how can we eliminate one prejudice? , which one affects us the most? We cannot change either easily, so how is it possible to eradicate one or both for that matter? In answer to the given question we shall take the stand point that sexism is the easier of the two, the one that has shown far greater promise of elimination throughout the years based on both psychological, feminist and sociological evidence we shall now begin to build up our picture. Racism is a system of domination and subordination based on false biological notions that human beings can be fixed into racially distinct groups.

It is identified as a natural process, and is seen to be a logical consequence of the differentiation of human beings into races 2. Given that there is no sound evidence from the natural and biological sciences to justify the assumption that the human species can be divided up into separate races, both race, and racism come to be economic, political, ideological and social expressions 3. In other words, race is not a social category which is empirically defined, rather political and ideological institutions. Womens exploitation and oppression are created and reproduced through the domains of production, reproduction, care-giving and sexuality. (Mitchell 1971) 4. Thus, the radicalism structuring of capitalism and patriarchy, along with analyses of imperialism and colonialism, are central to discussions of womens exploitations and oppression Just as woman and feminism are not concepts which have unchanging meanings, so the term race has specific origins and a specific course depending on its geographical and historical meanings. Race does not have a biological validity, for all human beings are members of the same race, Homo Sapiens.

However, it is clear that race does have a social power, for it is on the basis of assumed racial differences that human beings are categorised as Black or white in Britain. The development of race as a bogus scientific category is a consequence of imperialism and colonisation; for it is this scientific ism which informed, and still informs, prevailing ideologies of biological superiority and inferiority among human beings on the basis of race 5. People are not merely categorised; racism, the consequence of race, means that there are power inequalities embedded within this historically specific system of domination. In other words, human beings are located within relationships of subordination and domination that are together framed by radicalism, economic and gendered inequalities.

That is, capitalist society is not only patriarchal and racially structured, but it is, by definition, also structured by class. 6 The difference between, individual racism, such as the use of negative and abusive language or even physical assault; Form institutional racism whereby members of a group may be discriminated against, such as in excess to housing or employment on the grounds of their perceived race. Both of which are equally damaging to the victim, but institutional racism has bigger causes for concern as it damages and reinforces minority prejudice, allowing them to become part of society's view. 7 The discipline of psychology has been criticised for ignoring women and ethnic minorities, having said this, research that has been done in the past on these two subjects concentrated on the negative aspects of each type of disadvantage ethnic minorities were said to be intellectually inferior to white people, while women too were intellectually inferior, but to men 8. Both were used as the other, differentiating groups into alternatives to the white male norm. In investigations, of any sort, researchers still check for significant differences between, males and females, the same can be said for different ethnic groups, even when the given study, is not related to either subject. 9 This can be interpreted as both sexist and racist, as if assuming there is a substantial difference between white people for instance and black people on something as neutral as the effects of alcohol on students.

This may all sound naive, in that cultural and gender differences do effect ones response to social issues but, if the given study is not aimed at establishing this difference, it seems a pointless exercise. The first comprehensive national survey to distinguish adequately by both race and sex in Britain was Colin Browns survey for the Polity studies institute 198410 brown found that black women in full time employment earned more than white women, this was only because they worked longer shifts and although promising were the initial results, looked into at a deeper level one could see that when it came to occupational status white women, although far below white men, were still of a higher status to black women. In the work force from a business psychology approach, assumptions about women usually focus around the fact that they are unwilling to take responsibility, and go on conferences because of family ties, the fact that they may get pregnant, and also the common assumption that they are unable to supervise men, supposedly because of a lack of assertiveness. 11 Although influential, these assumptions do not seem to disadvantage women on the whole, as opposed to the assumptions of ethnic minorities. Ethnic minorities in todays workforce have limited opportunities specific to their individual ethnic groups as well as gender.

Asian and black men are particularly disadvantaged. Black women are working in jobs below their qualification level. Very few black people hold senior positions. Black people attend 7 times more interviews than white applicants 12. Owns- Bempah in 199213 found that computers were programed to select out unusual names of applicants. Wood and Baron in 199214 found that British rail selection techniques discriminated against ethnic minorities.

Tests did not take into account cultural differences. Although we seem to sway towards the prevalence of racism in todays society over sexism, it does not mean that sexism is non existent, infact feminists are still raising issues that are disadvantaging females, we have care issues, family obligations and a duty to be all women, but what is far greater than this pressure to be wonder women 15, is race, if our wonder women for instance is Asian, she has racism to contend with as well. Over the past 10 years we have seen the progression of women now doing better than men in education 16, so in theory a black women is more likely to get a good job than a black male through her qualifications. But is she as likely to get a managerial position as her white male counterpart? This is where our argument starts to fragment, it is not as clear cut as one may think. Its not just about race, or gender, it is a combination of the two, if we overcome sexism, which under the sex discrimination acts we have to, racism is what we are left with, and have been for decades.

What is so frightening about another skin tone? , in order to disadvantage a whole community? Racism is widespread, institutional racism is what is holding back ethnic minorities and keeping them a minority in our work force, we are not talking about our manual workers, its more the professional occupations that are exclusive to white people. It is quite normal to see a female barrister or lawyer, yet a black male barrister is harder to come by. So the question really is why is society still so excluding and racist? Individual racism has mutated itself into institutional racism, the racist ideas of a minority have governed the workforce and set the standards, racial discrimination acts and equal opportunities policies are being ignored or are just employing token ethnic minorities. It is not only about a general group of non-white people, within this racist claim there are racial groups that individually suffer from racism in their own unique way.

Asian women are perceived very differently to afro-Caribbean women, 17 the former passive, the latter load; therefore the way they are treated reflects this. So under this umbrella of racism comes specific ideas directed at specific groups, stereotypes play a extremely influential role and are in themselves generators and enforcers of racism. To eliminate stereotypes is just the first step, although this can be extremely difficult, as racism is picked up in primary socialisation, and only through education can it change. The same can be said for sexism, yet society seems to accept women as equal, even though biologically we are different to men, but when it comes to accepting for instance a Chinese man, society cannot do this. Rapid social change also promotes racism. The sudden immigration of highly visible groups of foreigners, and quick changes in the racial composition of neighbourhoods, also the economic status of a country scapegoats ethnic minorities 18.

Even conflicts that seem race free are complicated with ethnic tension. There seems to be no way out, no resolve, to the given problem, yes it seems that on the surface sexism is easier to eradicate than racism, because of the advancement of technology, more women are able to bring up a family, as well as work, from home if need be. This is not ignoring the fact that women make up the majority of part time workers 19 but nevertheless they seem to have reached a level of recognition, and politically it is enforced that discrimination towards women be a thing of the past. The major advancement of women is due to political activism, womens discrimination has openly been discussed and changes have been enforced if you like upon society. 20 This is where the key difference lies, racism, although politically activated against has still remained covertly, the subject has not been addressed openly enough because of the shame aspect it leaves upon the hegemonic leaders of companies etc there is not that freedom when discussing race relations, its as if it has been brushed under the carpet, society just plods along, without making sufficient changes in order to include and celebrate differences, society has taken a racist view that we are all the same therefore no one deserves special treatment based on the colour of their skin, and although ethnic minorities do not need special treatment they do need to be given a chance, but as society's system is based on white culture ethnic minorities will always be at a disadvantage, and that is why racism is harder to eradicate, because people are not going to become white in order to fit in. Women have had to become men if you like, in order to fit in, 21 this may sound sexist, but women have had to become more assertive, feel that they need to compromise their femininity in order to look professional to gain respect from male counterparts. 22 Ethnic minorities it seems, have to also fit in to white culture, Muslim and women have had to abandon certain dress codes in order to fit it with the western way, so have lots of other cultures. Muslims in order to get professional jobs have to sacrifice their religious rituals such as praying during the day, to accommodate their careers.

The picture looks bleak yet simple modifications in the work force as stated by ille's and hayes 96, such as cultural awareness, valuing differences, acknowledging stereotypes for what they are, and gaining knowledge from difference, are the first steps to having a multicultural and gendered, happy, equal society.


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Research essay sample on Ethnic Minorities Institutional Racism

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