Comparing Life Experiences of Racial and Ethnic Inequality - Assignment Example

Comparing Life Experiences of Racial and Ethnic Inequality Introduction The society is highly fragmented in various ways making life unbearable for the disadvantaged groups. These classifications occur as a result of human differences caused by nature, personality or human activities. While some differences like economic and social can be changed others like race, sex and ethnic orientations are natural, and human beings have no control over them (Healey 2011). However, racial and ethnic inequalities are the greatest evils in the society due to their effects on the people affected.

This essay compares life experiences of racial and ethnic inequality in the old and young people. According to an old African man there has been racial discriminations going on since he was young and able to understand happenings around him. According to this old man, all white people have a higher ability to think and solve problems compared to the colored people. He confirms this belief through using various explanations regarding modern technology that have transformed the world. He argues that were it, not for the white man people would still be living in shanties, and there would be no tarmac roads or airplanes.

Most of his age mates never knew how to read and write and if it were not for the white man they would still be illiterate. However, this old man believes that white men are selfish and egocentric. He gives illustrations on how they colonized Africa and Asia while looking for land and raw materials for their industries. He added that they are extremely cunning and will use any means to get what they need at the expense of ignorant Africans and Asians. He condemns how white men live a carefree life that does not respect the dictates of morality and religion.

He adds that women must be submissive to their husbands and not equals. He condemns how white women dress and term it as exposing their body in manners likely to suggest moral decadence. He argues that white men and women have no respect for their in-laws, traditions and religion since they have little regard for sexual morality.On the other hand, the second explanation from a young lady gives a different picture of the same people discussed by the old man. She explains how white people are considerate and understanding compared to African men.

She admires the way white men treat their wives as queens and complains that African men expect too much from their women. She believes that men from her community have failed to embrace change and view their women as equals. They mistreat their women just the way their grandfathers did to their grandmothers. She believes that change is a crucial element that propels societies to develop their structures. However, she notes that change should begin with shaping perceptions regarding people from other racial and ethnic communities in order to sustain peace in societies.

Given a chance she will marry a person from other ethnic community even though her parents have never agreed with her on this issue. She believes that white people develop their nations since they take their work seriously and devote their time, energy, skills and resources to accomplish their dreams. On the other hand, African and Asian men prefer using short cuts and are extremely lazy. She admires the whites’ courage and determinations even at times when there is little hope of success. Early racial socialization determines peoples’ abilities to think beyond ethnic boundaries.

This aspect enables the young generation to develop perceptions regarding other ethnic and racial groups by identifying the differences ad similarities among them. According to Talcott Parsons in his “Structural Functionalism” theory, the society comprises of various ethnic and racial groups that act as structures. As children grow up they learn how other people behave and why their lifestyles differ from them (Scupin 2011). Consequently, they adopt positive attributes that will help them interact with others and develop their communities.

Parson argues that ethnic and racial differences have positive and negative effects. Karl Marx argues that when people lean about other races and ethnic groups they identify and separate truth from rumors about their traditions and personalities. This enables them to share various responsibilities and learn positive traits from them (Healey 2011). This promotes peace and unity in the world despite the existence of many races and ethnic groups.Conclusion The community is highly fragmented due to misconstrued perceptions and beliefs about other racial and ethnic groups.

People should promote peaceful interactions among them to reduce the negative impacts associated with race and ethnicity.ReferencesHealey, J. F. (2011). Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class: The Sociology of Group Conflict and Change. California: Sage Publications.Scupin, R. (2011). Race and Ethnicity: The United States and the World. New Jersey: Pearson Publishers.