Race and ethnicity - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages The researcher states that human genetic constructs do not naturally determine the human conception of racial grouping. Instead, racial and ethnic segregation is largely dependant on socialization. Socialization in this case is the process through which individuals acquire ideas from their immediate social surroundings (people). These ideas are highly subjective and pass from one generation to another. Subjectivity arises from the human nature in the sense that humans construct ideologies and other defining factors for their own personal interests. In this case, the idea of race is a form of differentiation, to identify with and separate from in regard to social groupings and the rewards and downsides that accompany either side one falls into; therefore, race is a social construct. During the invasion of African nations, Europeans undermined the African traditional religions and their difference in terms of color and culture because they viewed themselves more superior to theirs. With this mentality, they assigned the black race the title inferior for their own benefits such as enslaving them. By use of their superiority, they exploited Africans and financed the industrial revolution in their countries for political gains. The second example is in relation to the 19th century migration of Anglo-Saxons into America. A conflict emerged as to where to categorize them because much as they were foreigners they had a “white” complexion. The ultimate decision to categorize them as white has a very profound political connection....
15 is that its five suggested ethnic groups now define racial categorization in America. The federal government, its contractors, and grantees apply these descriptions in their day to day activities. As most Americans fall within these five categories, it is now easier to state ones race in all types of forms official or otherwise. 4. What are the key points about the complex relationship between SES and race? Sociologists clearly draw a line of distinction between SES and race claiming that even though they are responsible for the disparities in health within the different races, they are both different entities. However, SES among the races accounts for the differences in health disparities among races. 5. What is the primary institutional mechanism of racism that is a fundamental cause of racial disparities in health? Racism has led to segregation. This segregation results in the minority or non dominant races confinement to poorer living areas, lesser paying jobs, more hazardous working conditions and a smaller window to express their grievances on the same. All the listed factors contribute directly or indirectly to health disparities. The social economic status of a race determines what types of health facilities they can acquire. Blacks have a lower social economic status than most whites. They are hence most likely to have inadequate or substandard healthcare. This leads to issues such as a higher mortality rate for the white folk in comparison to the black folk. 6. What are the four insights sociology, can provide in regard to the complex association between migration and health? The first insight is that the relationship between factors such as infant mortality, physical and mental health of immigrants in ...Download file to see next pagesRead More