Impact of Social Class on Racism - Coursework Example

Impact of Social on Racism Introduction A social gives a reflection beyond the ordinary imaginations revolving around material possessions because it determines human behavior, cultural practices, affiliations, segregation, popularity, and respect. Therefore, it is an issue that cannot be divorced entirely from racism. The subject has a profound effect on racism such that it is difficult to discuss the issue of racism without the mention of class diversity (Briones, 2012). Social class difference takes place in several areas such as education, religion, and health. Diversity in education and all other areas may lead to positive results but in most cases has an adverse impact. Racial discrimination in education, health and religion are common in the world today and in the United States of America to be precise. Some may argue that racial discrimination is not a prevalent issue today in the society like it was in the past. The essay will thus discuss the influence of social class diversity on racism in the different section of education, health, criminal justice, employment, and community. Education Learning institutions have been structured in a sense that they can appreciate ethnic diversity because students all over the world converge in the same classrooms to quench their thirst for knowledge. However, instead of positive ethnic diversity being realized, students are busy littering the institutions with hatred stemming from racism and social class. Having students from different social classes in schools bring along with them different life experiences and understanding (Roediger, 2006). A class with both white and black students is a class rich in experiences and knowledge on the various subjects learned in class. They all give varying viewpoints on the different issues discussed in class. Such issues could be death, freedom of speech, use of drugs and discrimination in the society. They are those circumstances that the experiences of both the white and black students are the same. In such situations, the race states the manner in which they are likely to react to the issues. Students are thus able to interpret similar issues differently. There are wide disparities in the education sector in the same way as other areas. The gaps are evident in school achievements and enrollments among people of color and the whites. Factors leading to the low enrollment rates and results among blacks include allocation of resources. Those students from the low-class levels in the society are likely to perform poorly because they lack mentors and experienced teachers to help them achieve their goal. Blacks who are lucky to enroll in same schools as the whites also face their share of challenges. There discriminated by other students because of their color and poverty. Such students are unable to perform well when they enter higher institutions of learning because of lack of proper preparation in their initial years of studies. Some may opt not to go on with their studies to prevent their families from incurring debts in the name of taking them to school. Most colleges in the United States of America have a “class culture” where all the students regardless of their background have to fit in. Most students who are blacks struggle with much pressure to fit in the class culture and be the same as those from the white families. Therefore, race and ethnicity contributes a lot to deepening the student’s feeling of isolation as they struggle to fit. A majority of the students in these learning institutions are whites hence making the separation issue unbearable to the blacks. Despite the fact that perceptions and undue judgment influences racial discrimination in higher institutions of learning, social class diversity is the leading factor. Health Just like learning institutions, racism is prevalent in the health sector too. The whole issue of social classification draws back to the traditional measures of social class. The different measures are responsible for making comparisons across ethnic groups (Fiscella et al, 2008). The actions placed the minority groups in the country in levels such as low-income occupations and low quality of housing unlike the whites in the society. In the heath sector, there are significant variations of healthcare providence for the blacks and the whites. There are other factors reported to have an effect on health such as age, and sex but the most common is the social class diversity. In order to provide care that is safe, creative and effective for patients, a good understanding of diversity and equality is mandatory. Social class diversity in health refers to recognizing personal differences and addressing those differences and needs of the individual. There are different barriers that may inhibit the delivery of quality healthcare to persons (Karlsen & Nazroo, 2012). Class diversity is one of such issues that may lead to the hindrance. In extreme cases, the social class creates prejudice among the people in the sense that they are discriminated hence not given the necessary medical attention. The class diversity influences the delivery and recipient of healthcare since it may hinder the accessibility of some individuals to the services. Blacks do not get treatment in the same way as the whites in most healthcare facilities. Whereas the whites get dignified and respectful treatment in most healthcare provision services, the blacks do not. Racial discrimination thus takes place in the provision of healthcare to the blacks. Employment. At one point in life, people, both skilled and non-skilled go searching for work to survive through the difficult economic waves. Most organizations have well established ethical standards and policy statements where they claim to serve everybody with integrity, honesty, and fairly regardless of gender, race, and social status. In the real sense, the actual course of events is different from expectations as social class decides who gets and who does not. The management has unlimited power to reject or accept employee application, forcefully fire an employee, and replace without following established procedures because no one can rise and question their unethical behavior. Already, this gives an overview of how an influential social class can be on matters revolving around employment. Racism has for a very long time been used as a judgmental weapon in such sectors. With such a deep rooted history to slave trade, people other than the occupants of that region or those who share same physical characteristics have a rough time being employed. The same happens when there is a need for promotion of staff. While it is expected to be carried out on the basis of merit, and other relevant ethically desired considerations, the management, may, in their own capacity alter everything to make sure that some employees are not promoted no matter what and instead promote their gang because of social class, which may be purely on the basis of sexual relationships, bribe, family relations or political forces. Criminal Justice Without offense to anyone, it has almost become a norm that all Arabs are terrorists, and no government negotiates with terrorists. This indicates that innocent Arabs and those who confess the Muslim faith are at risk of facing racial discrimination even if they are innocent. Should they engage in any law breaking affair, even if they were caught with the ‘Whites,’ some leniency can be shown to the whites as the innocent Arabs receive a harsh penalty. Social class is well established in criminal justice and has an influence on how final Jury decisions are made. Politicians and business people define the high class in this system. Their influence can alter everything because of their power to bribe, cover up mistakes, and make sure evidence files get lost miraculously, assassinate witnesses, and still be left to walk around freely. However, the degree of such a consideration depends on race, location, country of origin, and relations with the administrators. Community Society is built on perceptions, which define the expected norms at all times. In the course of its definition, social classes are established, discrimination becomes part of daily accusations, rulers are crowned, businesses prosper, and the society grows (Sider, 2008). Commonly as expected, the rich categorically locate an attractive estate to live, and so do the poor. People, defined by their family names, gender, job groups, race, and businesses group themselves and lives in colonies, which eliminates anyone who does not fit into the group. Those unfortunate have to look for alternatives of surviving, and should they want to stay in the neighborhood, there are chances that they can be turned into slaves to work for the rich people for a fee or other favors, best known to the rich. Conclusion The U.S. has had a series of changes since the decline of slavery trade, but there is little acceptance in human diversity in terms of skin color. The rise of social classes have further widened the gap and increased hostility among different racial groups as each of them demands for equality. From the above discussion, it is evident how education, health services, community well-being, employment, and criminal justice have an enormous reliance on social class. Through this understanding, it is, therefore, easy to link the effects of social class on such vital issues of racism. Theoretical and practical conceptualization puts an emphasis on the subject matter. Recommendation There is proof that the more there is social class diversity in a region with a primary basis of race, the less likely its occupants are to trust each other. Therefore, it is important for everyone to be aware that social class is defined by economic forces, which cannot be favorable to everyone. A race is like fate, and no one can escape it because it is God-given. It is a high time people learned and appreciated human diversity instead of promoting hatred basing on unjustifiable grounds. While fully aware of strategies and effort put forward by most institutions and the Government in eradicating the race “pest” from the society, it is should be everyone’s effort to make sure the same is achieved within the shortest time frame. References Briones, M. M. (2012). Jim and Jap Crow: A Cultural History of 1940s interracial America Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press. Fiscella, K., Franks, P., Gold, M. R., & Clancy, C. M. (2008). Inequality in quality: Addressing socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic disparities in health care. Journal of the American Medical Association, 283, 2579-2584. Karlsen S. & Nazroo J. Y. (2012). Relationship Between Racial Discrimination, Social Class, and Health Among Ethnic Minority Groups. Am J Public Health 92(4): 624-631. Roediger, David R. 2006. The Wages of Whiteness: Race and the Making of the American Working Class. New York, NY: Verso. Sider, R. J. (2008). Linking Arms, Linking Lives How urban-suburban partnerships can transform communities. New York: Cengage Learning. Read More