Discrimination

1. Discrimination Chapter 3-Part 2 Slides

2. Discrimination and Relative Deprivation • Relative deprivation • The conscious experience of a negative discrepancy between one’s expectations and reality • Although many minorities may have high incomes, good jobs, and homes in nice areas, a minority group’s position as a whole relative to other groups in society offers evidence of discrimination • Discrimination may be evident, but it is the job of the social scientist to understand where it is occurring, which is not always an easy task

3. Discrimination and Absolute Poverty • Absolute deprivation • A fixed standard on a minimum level of subsistence below which a individual or family should not be expected to live • Relative poverty vs. absolute poverty • Racial minorities have higher rates of absolute poverty/deprivation • Higher child poverty rates-one in three children • African American and Latinos 2x more likely to live in poverty • What is the poverty line for a family of four in America? An Individual?

4. Total Discrimination • The combination of current discrimination and past discrimination has a cumulative effect on individuals and groups of minority status • An understanding of a individual’s position in society must take into account discrimination that one suffers from now and in the past • Chart on page 84 of text

5. Discrimination Hits the Wallet • Measuring discrimination is extremely difficult, but sociologists look to objective measures of deprivation • Income disparities-wages and salaries • Median Income by race, ethnicity and gender • Who earns the most? • We tend to see earning gaps between whites and racial minorities and men and women • Exception is some Asian American men who bring median average up with high levels of education • Even when education is controlled for, income disparities exist, especially for African American and Hispanic women • The gender pay gap meets the racial pay gap • Illustrates the Matrix of Domination

6. Wealth inequality-assets and property, including income-one’s “net worth” • Why is wealth such an important measure of life chances and livelihood? • Disparities in wealth between whites and African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans are even greater than income • On average, the net worth of a white family is 20x greater than black families, and 18x greater • Why-Discrimination’s legacy-Recall FHA home loans of mid twentieth century: What % went to non-white families? • Most of a families wealth is in their home • Whites more likely to be homeowners and to pass wealth down to next generation

7. Efforts to Eliminate Discrimination • Two Main Agents of Social Change and Progress towards equality • 1. Private organizations and associations that organize to combat racial inequality • Key initiative to change-Urges governments to act • 2. The federal government • 1940’s the U.S. federal government began to revise earlier decisions and seek more equal justice under law • 1954 • 1964

8. Progress towards equality has been made, but as we see, the legacy of discrimination and continued forms of institutional racism continue to persist and manifest themselves as minorities, on average: • Earn less than their white counterparts • Have less wealth • Are less likely to own homes • Are more likely to be imprisoned at some point in their lives • Are more likely to live in poverty • Encounter obstacles in obtaining good jobs, loans, and equal treatment in a variety of institutions • Are more likely to live near hazardous incinerators, dumps, and nuclear waste sites • And the list goes on….

9. What modern efforts are being made to eliminate inequality?

10. Affirmative Action • The positive effort to recruit sub-ordinate group members for jobs, promotions and educational opportunities • Generally has included women and minorities • Viewed as an important tool for reducing institutional discrimination and dealing with current and past forms of discrimination • Studies show that when applied, Affirmative action has assisted in positive gains for employment and education of racial minorities and women • I.e.: Board room quotas in many European countries • What are the main pro’s and con’s of affirmative action policies?

11. Affirmative Action In Favor Against Causes Reverse discrimination Erodes incentives to work hard Lowers standards Stigmatizes beneficiaries Cause racial resentment Belief that race no longer matters-Promoted primarily by social conservatives but also many democrats • Combats legacy of discrimination that has allowed WASP’s to dominate institutions for centuries • Fight instit. discrimination that is nearly impossible to combat lawfully • Racial diversity in business and education is necessary and positive • Belief that Race does matter, and past wrongdoings need redress-Promoted mainly by social liberals, but not Obama?