Race And Ethnicity: A Sociological Analysis Paper

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Race and Ethnicity: A Sociological Analysis. Adewale Olalekan University of the People SOC 1502 Introduction to Sociology Tony Reyna (Instructor) July 17, 2024 Introduction Race and ethnicity are fundamental concepts in sociology that profoundly shape social interactions, structures, and inequalities. This paper examines race and ethnicity through the lenses of functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and conflict theory, providing analysis and examples to illustrate each perspective's approach. Core Concepts and Assumptions Conerly et al., (2021) define race as a fundamental social construct and ethnicity as a shared culture and national origin. These definitions form the foundation for understanding how different sociological perspectives …show more content…

Conerly et al. (2021) emphasize that understanding and addressing issues of racial and ethnic inequality are ongoing challenges for American society. Conflict theory's focus on power dynamics and systemic inequalities aligns closely with this observation. In my experience, racial and ethnic inequalities remain deeply ingrained in social structures and continue to shape opportunities and outcomes for individuals and communities. For example, disparities in educational resources, employment opportunities, and representation in positions of power persist along racial and ethnic lines. Conflict theory provides a framework for understanding these ongoing inequalities and emphasizes the need for structural changes to address them. Moreover, conflict theory's emphasis on the historical context of racial and ethnic relations helps explain how past injustices continue to impact present-day inequalities. This perspective encourages a critical examination of how social institutions and policies may perpetuate racial and ethnic disparities, even when not explicitly discriminatory. However, I also recognize the value of integrating insights from other perspectives. Symbolic interactionism's focus on how individuals construct and negotiate racial and ethnic identities complements conflict theory by highlighting the role of agency and everyday interactions in shaping racial and ethnic dynamics. Functionalism, while perhaps overly optimistic about social harmony, reminds us to consider how diversity can contribute positively to society when equitably

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