Structural Functionalism

In our text book: The Real World: An introduction to sociology (4th ed.) written by K. Ferris and J. Stein. Begins with the history of Sociology and defines the three classical theories. The first of the three theories are Structural Functionalism is a macro-level theory. Functionalist see all social institutions as building blocks that perform specific tasks that benefit the whole system; no matter the cost to the individual. (Ferris & Scott pg.). Functionalists believe that all aspects of society have “Manifest functions”; The intended outcome and “Latent functions”; which are unintended outcomes. (Ferris & Scott pg.). Our text Also defines a folkway as a “Learned behavior, shared by a social group, that provides a traditional mode of conduct.”

Hip Hop culture turned the word nigger on its head to in be understood as a term of endearment. But due to the need for rhyme and regional Dialect of rap artists; the word took on a new sound and nigga was born.
My attempt at breaking the subcultural norm of nigger versus nigga, was one of context. Black people who use the word have an unwritten rule. Don’t say it in the presence of white people. The belief is that when we say the word in mixed company, it gives license to those who would use it in a malicious manner. All the research subjects involved are educated middle class black people and one white male friend at a social gathering. I would first use the word nigger.
I informed the white participant of what I would be doing and asked him not to react and if he felt uncomfortable to walk away. His time away gave me the opportunity to allow the subjects to speak openly and evaluate a cultural response to my behavior. I also asked him to interact at some point and to use the word nigga. He was VERY reluctant. But he told me he would if a song came on and a rapper used the word in his lyrics. I have heard every one of these participants use the word nigga. The white male would offer his reaction to the research subject

The topic was Nancy Devost’s policy toward education. I must have said Nigger forty times and no one responded verbally to it. I noticed uncomfortable body language. A couple of the participants walked away. I secretly asked my white participant to walk away. The hostility I faced after he walked away almost made me stop the experiment. I couldn’t believe it. The same people who use this word daily were all upset that I had used the word so many times. I was accused of trying to fit in with my white friend and disrespecting the black people around