Different Views on Social Inequality in America - Essay Example

?Social Inequalities Social inequality refers to a condition in which socially defined persons or groups of persons in a given societal set up do notenjoy equal social class or social status. Social inequality manifests itself across different ages, genders, races, and classes. Social inequalities lead to variations in access to resources, labor, education, heath, and political representation. There have been many views and arguments on social inequality in America. In addressing these discrepancies in discussing social inequalities in America, this paper will consider the input of three readings. The three readings are “Why Inequality is the Real Cause of Our Ongoing Terrible Economy” by Reich (2011), “Shadowy Lines that Still Divide” by Scott and Leonhardt (2005), and “Inequality: Causes and Consequences” by Neckerman and Torche (2007). The reading “Why Inequality is the Real Cause of Our Ongoing Terrible Economy” by Reich (2011) indicates that there is rampant inequality in the country, with 5% of Americans with the highest incomes making about 37% of all consumer purchases. This inequality sinks the economy of the US, and the situation may worsen if the government does not reverse it. The author argues that this is possible only by reviving the purchasing power of the majority, which is the middle class, in America (Reich, 2005). On the other hand, the reading “Shadowy Lines that Still Divide” by Scott and Leonhardt indicates that unlike in the past, America is in the right direction of curbing social class inequality. The authors claim it is hard to identify Americans with their clothing, religion, color, and political participation due to social diversity in America. They, however, indicate that the power of class is still strong in America and Americans might finally end up in their birth classes (Scott & Leonhardt, 2005). Finally, the reading “Inequality: Causes and Consequences” by Neckerman and Torche indicates that levels of inequality are still high in America despite the decrease in its growth rate. The authors observe that this has led to economic inequality and social and political consequences (Neckerman & Torche, 2007). In this paper, I will be comparing and contrasting the different perspectives the readings offer about the social class inequality. In the reading “Why Inequality is the Real Cause of Our Ongoing Terrible Economy” by Reich (2011), the author states that the recent statistics show that few rich people in America dominate the market, which proves the existence of inequality in the country. He argues that the middle class, which largely controls the economy, has no purchasing power since there is inequality in the distribution of resources. To overcome this inequality and boost the economy, he suggests that the government should revive the middle class and reduce the level of inequality. He notes that a situation in which the middle class acquires the ability to purchase more goods and services would foster the economy. He equally draws our attention to the fact that the inequality in allocation of wealth, when few people had more resources, led to the America’s Great Regression (Reich, 2005). Furthermore the reading “Shadowy Lines that Still Divide” by Scott and Leonhardt recognizes the fact that initially the Americans thought they understood the issue of classes and some think that America is seemingly heading towards classlessness. Indeed, the authors state that while some Americans feel the weight of inequality, others do not feel its existence. They note that social diversity makes it hard for Americans to recognize inequalities in form of color, wealth, religion, or even political participation. They, however, realize that inequality is still rampant in America and affects health, economy, and education. According to statistics, the possibility of people moving down the economic ladder to reduce inequality is very low. Nevertheless, they think it is easier for the rich than for the middle class to move up the economic ladder. The authors argue that finally the Americans will revert to their birth social classes (Scott & Leonhardt, 2005). On the other hand, the reading “Inequality: Causes and Consequences” by Neckerman and Torche appreciates the fact that there is rampant inequality in America and, therefore, the need to establish the causes and effects of inequality in America and the world at large. Furthermore, the authors confirm that there exists economic inequality, political, and social inequality in America. They realize that there are various patterns and causes of economic inequality in the US. They also establish the political and social consequences of inequality as well as the numerous inequality trends in the world. They similarly recognize the variant pathways of inequality, as well as effects and contingencies that can regulate the effects of inequality (Neckerman & Torche, 2007). Notable is the fact that all the readings concur on the fact that social inequality exists in the modern America. Furthermore, the readings contain the notion that inequality is a negative phenomenon. Indeed, all the readings record that social inequality leads to economic, social, and political discrimination. The side effects on the economy because of inequality are clearly seen in the education sector, healthcare, and even in the financial world, where the America’s Great Regression was because of the political inequality. Indeed, inequality gives few people financial power to control economies, and this is a source of economic risks. However, unlike the other readings, the reading “Shadowy Lines that Still Divide” by Scott and Leonhardt establishes the fact that although inequality is rampant in the US, the effects of inequality vary from class to class, with some having no idea of its existence. Additionally, all the readings indicate that although the growth of inequality in the US is on a downward trend, its manifestation is still real, and the government needs to apply best efforts to control its effects. Indeed, as long as only 5% of Americans belong to the high class, it is quite evident that inequality gap in the US is still huge. Nevertheless, it is arguably true that the US government is trying its best to reduce these discrepancies though the fruits are far from realization. Indeed, unless the government empowers the middle class, the members of which are the majority, social inequality will remain. Personally, I have had an experience of social inequality. In my earlier years, my family was not well in terms of finances as I sought my education. My parents could not afford tuition fees to take me to the best schools in my state, leave alone to pay for my food and accommodation. Due to this, my right to access high quality education was denied while my friends from high-class families accessed such education and thus established a good foundation for their lives. At the same time, I will look into the issue of racism. In doing this I will use three readings: “Racism without Racists: Color Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in the US,” “The Cosmopolitan Canopy: Race and Civility in Everyday Life,” and “How Jews Became White Folks.” I will compare and contrast the opinions of the authors of these three readings. In “The Cosmopolitan Canopy: Race and Civility in Everyday Life”, the author manifests a group of people who friendly interact in a neutral ground despite their wide range of racial differences. The author propagates the idea of racial cosmopolitanism. He, however, recognizes the fact that under the same canopy, the blacks tend to feel less superior. In addition, the author details how racialism affects performance and relationships at the canopy. He relevantly indicates the dynamics that can challenge racialism in the US (Anderson, 2011). On the other hand, in “How Jews Became White Folks” the author states that racialism emanates from the presence of social classes. He actually argues that America has diverse ethnic groups and thus challenges to define racialism in America (Bodkin, 1998). Then the reading “Racism without Racists” states that there is rampant racism in America though the Whites cannot agree that they are racists. The author equally confers there are nonracial acts that can promote racial inequality. Indeed, the author calls this color-blind racism when the whites insist that racism is because of other factors like market dynamics and natural calamities (Bonilla-Silva, 2003). As such, it is quite clear that all readings appreciate the reality of having racialism in America. At the same time, they all agree that racialism promotes social inequality. Moreover, they concur that racialism has negative effects on our social life as it lowers our self-esteem and emanates from the presence of social classes. Indeed, in this context, all readings agree that African-Americans are more prone to racialism than their white counterparts are. Nevertheless, while the cosmopolitan reading demeans the level of racialism in America, the “How Jews Became White Folks” observes that there is rampant racialism in America. Furthermore, while the reading “How Jews Became White Folks” leaves no doubts as to who are racists, the “Racism Without Racists” portrays a scenario where the whites dismiss the allegations that they are racists. Additionally, while the “Racism Without Racists” manifests market dynamics and natural factors as the causes of racism, the “How Jews Became White Folks” reading confirms that racism emanates from the presence of social classes. Therefore, I find that all readings address the issue of racialism significantly though in different ways. Indeed, racialism is a trait that is rampant in the US and that negatively affects its victims as seen in other outside materials (Anderson, 2006). However, class materials are more relevant in linking the political controversies with the issue of racialism, as they are current. For example, the issue of Barack Obama’s race dominates the political circles in America. However, I take issue with the lack of effort by the three readings to address the measures that the government can take to address the issue of racialism in America. This critique is important in that racialism being a bad trait, the government and the public at large should know how to curb it. Therefore, the readings failed to address the possible solutions to racialism and thus my questions to such solutions still remain. References Anderson, E. (2011). The Cosmopolitan canopy: Race and civility in everyday life. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. Anderson, W. (2006). Fighting racial discrimination: Treating all Americans fairly under the law. New York: Rosen Classroom. Bodkin, K. (1998). How Jews became white folks and what that says about race in America. Rutgers, NJ: Rutgers University Press. Bonilla-Silva, E. (2003). Racism without racists: Color blind racism and the persistence of racial inequality in the US. Laham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. Neckerman, K., & Torche, F. (2007). Inequality: Causes and consequences. Annual Review of Sociology, 33, 335-57. Reich, R. (2011). Why inequality is the real cause of our ongoing terrible economy. Retrieved from http://robertreich.org/post/9789891366 Scott, J., & Leonhardt, D. (2005). Shadowy lines that still divide. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/15/national/class/OVERVIEW-FINAL.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all Read More