Racial Inequality Analysis

Racial inequality is currently one of the biggest social problems that plagues the United States and has been for most of our nation’s history. Some inequalities of the past have been phased out, segregation, racist laws, and various forms of discrimination, for example, but many inequalities either still persist or appear to be making a resurgence. Racial inequalities of today do not share many of the same extremes of the days of old, but rather we see limited job opportunities, limited educational opportunities, police killings of minorities, and the increasing hatred of those who voice their opinion on the matter. In order to better understand the impact that race has on many of life’s aspects, I will attempt to analyze how racial inequalities …show more content…
Tabb’s concept of a black marginal working class, as stated before, builds off of the Karl Marx’s theoretical framework, conflict theory. Tabb referred to the definition of a marginal working class by Leggett, who defined it as, “a sub-community of workers who belong to a subordinate ethnic or racial group which is unusually proletarianized and highly segregated.” Leggett continues by stating that those who are considered marginal workers have a, “lack of formal education,” and a “high rate of unemployment.” Furthermore, Tabb himself builds off of this definition and goes on to elaborate how a marginal working class is created if, “the other group or groups of workers are limited in their employment opportunities to the worst jobs and lowest pay”. Consequently, Tabb connects the limiting factors of the black minority to the definitions of marginal workers and determines that the current position of black individuals in society is, “primarily a result of their position as a marginal working class.”
The textbook assigned to my class, Think: Social Problems by John Carl, also details the racial inequalities felt by those of the black minority, along with other minorities, in the United States. Carl, in the text, states that those who belong to the minority are more likely to fall into the poor category. Carl equated this increased likelihood of a poor level of income to the lack …show more content…
Tabb’s journal piece directly correlates that the effects of the marginal classification of minority workers directly causes limited opportunities for these groups of people. Much in the same way, Carl’s textbook establishes that many of the minority are shifted into the poorer side of the socioeconomic spectrum due to the limited access of educational resources along with other basic necessities for personal development. When compared to Tabb’s work, it is plain to see how Tabb provides insight as to one possible reason for the lack of available opportunities through his concept of the majorities influence and control over the ghettos where the disenfranchised minority