1. The definition of race in our text is a socially constructed category of people who share similar biological traits that people in society consider important. Physical characteristics are usually the main form of classification people rely on when classifying one another racially. Examples of these physical characteristics would be skin color, facial features, body shape, and hair texture. We like to think of race in terms of biological elements (or inheritance of genetics), but in actually it is a socially constructed concept. Biologically, all humans are members of the same biological species and it is just physical differences that make us look different. Most times people are classified as black, white, or Asian. An example would be
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Affirmative action is a policy that was created to broaden opportunities for qualified minorities. The policy of affirmative action made it a requirement for employers to monitor hiring, promotions, and other policies to rid environments of discrimination against the minority. Those that support affirmative action see it as fair compensation for all that whites took from minorities in the past. In addition, supports claim that our society will never be truly colorblind and discrimination will continue; affirmative action creates opportunities for those who are segregated. Those that do not agree with affirmative action have the view that if people were mistreated in the past, it isn’t our problem now. Another argument against affirmative action is that setting a simple standard for a category of people may be setting them up for disappointment in the future. A final argument about this policy is that it does the most for the people that need it the least; this policy does not do much for the African American underclass. I find that disagreeing with the policy is more convincing because giving people a “one up” because they are a minority would technically being biased towards others that aren’t that minority. Also, I think the supporting argument about affirmative action being compensation for all that was taken form minorities absurd. We, at least the age I live in, did not take anything from my fellow Native American …show more content…
Various racial and ethnic categories of the U.S. population have different social standing because even though they may all be minorities, they have their own customs, beliefs, and backgrounds. Each minority has a “story” and their story is what it is for different reasons. Still today though, some struggle to break through past barriers. African Americans are still looked at as inferior in the work world. Most work factory jobs and are two or three times more like to be poor than whites. Standards have rose as far as completing college for African Americans, but is nothing compared to Asian Americans. Asian Americans have become known as high achievers and for making economic and social gains. The higher income of Asian Americans is a reflection of a number of family members working. Hispanic Americans still receive less schooling and lower wages than the U.S. population as a whole. Each minority integrates itself into society a little differently, and for that, they are accepted into the U.S. culture and economy
Affirmative action is a policy that was created to broaden opportunities for qualified minorities. The policy of affirmative action made it a requirement for employers to monitor hiring, promotions, and other policies to rid environments of discrimination against the minority. Those that support affirmative action see it as fair compensation for all that whites took from minorities in the past. In addition, supports claim that our society will never be truly colorblind and discrimination will continue; affirmative action creates opportunities for those who are segregated. Those that do not agree with affirmative action have the view that if people were mistreated in the past, it isn’t our problem now. Another argument against affirmative action is that setting a simple standard for a category of people may be setting them up for disappointment in the future. A final argument about this policy is that it does the most for the people that need it the least; this policy does not do much for the African American underclass. I find that disagreeing with the policy is more convincing because giving people a “one up” because they are a minority would technically being biased towards others that aren’t that minority. Also, I think the supporting argument about affirmative action being compensation for all that was taken form minorities absurd. We, at least the age I live in, did not take anything from my fellow Native American …show more content…
Various racial and ethnic categories of the U.S. population have different social standing because even though they may all be minorities, they have their own customs, beliefs, and backgrounds. Each minority has a “story” and their story is what it is for different reasons. Still today though, some struggle to break through past barriers. African Americans are still looked at as inferior in the work world. Most work factory jobs and are two or three times more like to be poor than whites. Standards have rose as far as completing college for African Americans, but is nothing compared to Asian Americans. Asian Americans have become known as high achievers and for making economic and social gains. The higher income of Asian Americans is a reflection of a number of family members working. Hispanic Americans still receive less schooling and lower wages than the U.S. population as a whole. Each minority integrates itself into society a little differently, and for that, they are accepted into the U.S. culture and economy