Racial Diversity in Society Worksheet Essay

Part I Complete the following using the MySocLab Social Explorer Map: Income Inequality by Race (located on the student website) as a reference: Select 1 racial group from the list below: African American o Asian American o Arab American o Hispanic American/Latino White/Caucasian Write a 150- to 300-word summary of the economic, social, and political standings of that group. Use additional resources if necessary, from the University Library or your textbooks. Provide citations for all the sources you use. The economic standings of African Americans are anything but fruitful. In 2007 the net worth for black families was 20%, and the estimated wealth for blacks in the year of 2042 will drop to 19%. Black median households income sits at $33,374, which is about 60%(State of Black America 2013). Wealth is valuable in a society were your economic situation determines the group of people you associate yourself with. The social standings we face are considerably better than what they were decades back. In society today, there are social constraints to how a person of a different race acts. The â€Å"Acting white, acting black† social form has taken on a lot in the recent years. The fear of â€Å"acting† outside of your own race can be detrimental to what needs to be accomplished. For minorities to take school seriously they have to overcome two obstacles, their white classmates and also the idea of acting like someone else. Part II Answer the following in 50 to 150 words each. Provide citations for all the sources you use. What is racism? In what ways does racism affect diversity? Racism is the belief that all race is the primary determination of all human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. I believe this has a huge impact on diversity. We seen diversity as being one in the same or learning how to live around people of different cultural and race. When racism plays such a crucial role in how we live. How do racial groups interact in contemporary America? Are interactions positive, negative, or neutral? Support your response using proper citations. In chapter 8 of the textbook, it points out that the difference between acting white, acting black and neither. It states that the reason African Americans do not succeed in school is because they don’t want to be caught â€Å"acting white†. The interaction to me is a negative as any. Contemporary America is made up of white people, and acting white is deemed undesirable in some black neighborhoods. Along with getting the proper education or â€Å"acting white,† you also associate with speaking proper english or having a different cultural preference such as, listening to rock instead of hip-hop(Ferguson 2007). â€Å"Acting black† in contemporary American can be seen as positive but also neutral. Are there existing social inequities based on race? Why or why not? There are many social inequalities based on race. Racial disparities are the main reason to the situation some race find themselves in. From income, wealth, health and educational background. In the last decade median white families are making almost double the amount as any other race in America. Black and Mexican median households make up about 67  cents compared to every dollar white median households make. Are these inequalities based off the lack of education that minorities receive? What do you believe to be the causes of racial prejudice and discrimination in today’s society? I believe the cause of racial prejudice in America is the way that it is perceived. The causes to racial discrimination are the idea the media and other outlets make us believe. I also feel like as a minority in this society the activity that my people perform doesn’t help strengthen the case at all. Blacks are perceived as intolerable and it is because it is how the media depicts us. Based on social and economic standards I don’t believe it will change until we all are seen as equal.