African-American NASCAR Driver by Frank Scott - Case Study Example

African-American NASCAR Driver by Frank Scott Article I The first article selected for this paper is titled “African-American NASCAR Driver Raced Like ‘A Great Artist’”. This is based on an interview taken of Frank Scott. He talks about his African-American (AA) father Wendell Scott who used to be a NASCAR driver and was the first AA to win a race at NASCAR’s elite major league level. In this interview Frank has stated how his father was subjected to all kinds of prejudices due to his racial background. Even when he won the race, the checkered flag was not dropped till two other drivers had finished. After he was declared the winner, he was only given the cheque and not the trophy. Frank reminisced how his father was not allowed to race at certain speedways, and also received death threats when he went to Atlanta. Eventually his career ended due to lack of financial support (“African-American NASCAR Driver...., 2015”). Such cases are not isolated since social prejudices are common elements that are experienced by the blacks in America. Being blacks in the land of whites, AAs do not receive the social support that is needed for a psychologically healthy life. Based on a study conducted on 591 AAs it has been found that positive social interactions can have encouraging impact on the stress level of individuals. In the event of a social environment where all members are supportive and understanding, the concerned individual will have reduced possibility of depression whereas if one’s social circle consists of people who ridicule the individual or make snide remarks then there will be increased possibility of high level of depression. It has also been found that age is also a determining factor for stress among the AAs. According to the study, older AAs experience greater financial stress and traumatic events compared to their younger counterparts (Lincoln, Chatters & Taylor, 2005). Wendell Scott’s case is similarly an example whose exemplary performance as NASCAR driver was not acknowledged by the “white” officials. Towards the end of his life, he suffered for lack of financial resources as a result of which he died of cancer in the year 1990. Prior studies have confirmed that if people are subjected to negative social interactions, then its impact on psychology is even more intensive than the positive impact of social support. The lack of opportunities in the social events and competitions can have major negative impact on the mental health of the AAs. In the pursuit of social recognition and financial success, the blacks in America experience numerous obstacles, and records have shown that large number of AAs have their endeavours impeded by racial prejudices. The AAs most often endure the stress of feeling that their efforts are not appropriately rewarded, and such “goal-striving stress” contributes towards lack of happiness and self-esteem (Sellers & Neighbors, 2008). However, Wendell Scott exhibited optimism and courage in spite of not receiving the rewards and recognition that he deserved. According to his son, “I think that's what made him so great. He chose to be a race car driver, and he was going to race until he couldn't race no more” (“African-American NASCAR Driver...., 2015”). As a result of racial discrimination and prevalence of poverty among the AAs, it is a common phenomenon that they suffer from chronic and acute stress which can result in health problems. It is the degree of coping capacity of an individual with chronic stress that indicates his level of social adjustment. According to a study of black Americans it was observed that a combination of high cognitive ability and social support reduces the effect of race related stress on health. This is because people with high cognition are better equipped to utilize the positive impact of social support and therefore can develop better adjustment skills (Utsey et al., 2006). Article II The second article selected is titled “Remembering A ‘Giant’: ‘Everything We Did, We Did Together’” which is the story of a loving family consisting of Max Starkloff, his wife Colleen Kelly Starkloff, and their adopted daughter, Meaghan Starkloff Breitenstein. Colleen in an interview narrated to her daughter the day she first met Max and found him “drop-dead gorgeous”. When they decided, after their marriage, to adopt a child they faced strong resistance from adoption agencies. They were even told by a social worker that they could not be good parents which initially devastated Colleen. However, it was because of Max’s confidence that they eventually adopted Meaghan, and when next time he met the same social worker he proudly introduced his daughter to her. According to Colleen, Max was as much an active participant as Colleen in the process of bringing up their daughter, “Everything we did, we did together. Going to your games, going to your swim meets. Your father was there” (“Remembering a ‘Giant’....., 2015). The above case is a common occurrence in every society where handicapped people are ostracized and discriminated by the society. They are judged as incompetent and invalid compared to the non-handicapped people of the society. However, according to Anima Sen (1988, p.50), social adjustment problems are quite similar among both handicapped and the non-handicapped people although the former feel an additional burden. The two basic problems are that being physically handicapped these people may experience slow developmental progress, and also they may feel their condition as a barrier between their desired goals and actual achievement of the goals. Sen has added that “handicap is mainly the ‘social condition’ imposed upon the disabled individual” (Sen, 1988, p.50). More than the difficulty of physically disabled, it is society that inculcates the feeling of incompetence in them which can have serious repercussions on their mental heath. Therefore, a handicapped person has two stages of adjustment – first with his own physical disability, and second with the condescending attitude of the society. Social support is very important in building confidence and self-reliance among the physically handicapped people. It is believed that the greatest hindrances to these people are environment and society. Since home is the first social environment encountered by any individual, therefore it is the positive attitude of parents and other family members that can enhance a handicapped person’s adjustment capabilities. Secondly, creating an environment convenient for these people can eliminate their physical discomfort. Finally, it is the responsibility of the society to accept these people in its fold and make conditions favorable for them with objectivity rather than sentimentality (Sen, 1988, p.58). References African-American NASCAR Driver Raced Like ‘A Great Artist’ [Audio file]. (January 30, 2015). Retrieved from: http://www.npr.org/2015/01/30/382444955/african-american-nascar-driver-raced-like-a-great-artist Lincoln, K.D., Chatters, L.M. & Taylor, R.J (2005). Social Support, Traumatic Events, and Depressive Symptoms Among AAs. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67(3), 754-766 Remembering A ‘Giant’: ‘Everything We Did, We Did Together’ [Audio file]. (January 16, 2015). Retrieved from: http://www.npr.org/2015/01/16/377450795/remembering-a-giant-everything-we-did-we-did-together Sellers, S.L. & Neighbors, H.W. (2008) Effects of Goal-Striving Stress on the Mental Health of Black Americans. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 49(1), 92-103 Sen, A. (1988) Psycho-social Integration of the Handicapped: A Challenge to the Society, Mittal Publications Utsey, S.O. et al. (2006) Moderator effects of cognitive ability and social support on the relation between race-related stress and quality of life in a community sample of black Americans. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 12(2), 334-346 Read More