Natasha Oslinger
Assignments J and K
4-6-16
Assignment J
1. What does it mean when social scientists claim that race is socially constructed?
When social scientist claim that race is socially constructed, they mean the concept of race can be changed and manipulated by society's views and cultural creation. The meaning and importance of race changes and is modified as times, people, and places change. For example, in the past, there were generally considered to be three main races. These three consisted of Caucasoid, Mongoloid, and Negroid, or what can be stereotyped as people with “white,” “yellow,” or “black” skin. The idea of race and what race is has evolved over time as society evolves. Because of this, it can be concluded that race is merely a social construction.
2. Name two possible benefits of racial / ethnic diversity. Name two possible costs of racial / ethnic diversity. Do the benefits outweigh the costs? Why?
Benefit 1: Expansion of culture
The expansion of culture between the races that blend together help create a unique and diverse culture. All of the strongest points of both cultures, food, art, or clothing, for example, can be shared between the cultures. This is a benefit to society because it helps to improve the everyday lives of people and add to diversity.
Benefit 2: Knowledge
Racial and ethnic diversity is also beneficial in the scientific and medical communities. When cultures mix, they share what they know, and this knowledge can help to save lives. For example, the nation of Cuba is an innovator in the medical community and has made great advances in finding a cure for HIV/AIDS. If the embargo was to be lifted between our nation and theirs, we would be able to use what they know about this illness to help American citizens. By blending our cultures, we would not only be strengthening both ours and their scientific communities, but countless lives could potentially be saved.
Cost 1: Difference in morals
It would potentially be dangerous to incorporate ideas from other cultures with a culture such as America because some places have wildly different morals than the US. For example, if America adopted the same views on domestic abuse as a country such as Japan or one of the many countries of Africa, things would only get worse for America. In these countries, it is not only seen as something morally okay, but it is a societal norm for husbands to beat their wives. If these negative parts of culture were incorporated into our way of life, racial diversity would not be beneficial.
Cost 2: Differences in ideas
Although new perspectives are always good, countries who have different ideas of “fact” would not benefit from racial and ethnic diversity. Take religion, for example. Country A says god is one person that created everything, and they very strongly stand by this belief. Country B says that there are hundreds of gods that each made and control different things, and they also very strongly believe that they are correct. If these two countries were to share knowledge and find that neither of them could except that the other is correct, wars could start.
It is hard to say if the benefits outweigh the costs, there are many pros and cons to each side. In my opinion, the sharing of culture benefits such an outstanding number of people I consider it a good thing. Ethnic and racial diversity is important on this planet, without it, people would start to get tunnel vision and not be able to see things that are different than them; only if people would be able to see disagreeance with acceptance rather than violence will society truly reap all the possible benefits of diversity.
Assignment K
Racial / Ethnic Prejudice:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-obama-presidency-race-grossman-20160328-story.html
This article describes how much like Washington was considered the “Father of America” and Lincoln was considered the “Great Liberator” President Obama is often called the “Worst President in American History.” The author describes how politics are meant to consist of arguments that “disagree with opponents but not demonize them.” This is the norm, except with Obama. People give corrupt and greedy presidents of the past a “passing grade” then “fail” Obama not because of his policies, but because of the color of his skin. These people have a racial prejudice and demonize him and his candidacy because of it.
Racial / Ethnic Discrimination:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/health-news/bergen-hospital-accused-of-racial-bias-fired-worker-files-whistle-blower-suit-1.1539207
This article details a hospital in Jersey that was uncovered to racially discriminate against the patients they accept into their drug rehabilitation program. Joel Ramirez, an ex employee from said hospital, revealed that he was ordered to make sure an African American man did not make it to the detox center because once he arrived, they would not be able to turn him away. The article also talks about the hospital racially discriminating against its employees, to quote:
“Additionally, the lawsuit alleges racial and ethnic discrimination among employees. Ramirez was disciplined for speaking Spanish in the unit, even when no patients were present, the lawsuit alleges. And the lawsuit claims minority nurses were not given what is know as "charge nurse training’’ so they could supervise shifts. Only Caucasian nurses are assigned as charge nurses, according to the lawsuit.”
There is one major difference between these two article, and ultimately, between prejudice and discrimination. Prejudice is consistent of opinions. It is basically not liking a minority for reasons such as the color of their skin or their gender. These people don’t like minorities, hence holding a prejudice against them. Discrimination, on the other hand, is acting upon one's prejudice. When someone discriminates against another, they are being aggressive towards them, they are attacking them, they are depriving them of basic rights, essentially, taking their prejudice into action.
Assignments J and K
4-6-16
Assignment J
1. What does it mean when social scientists claim that race is socially constructed?
When social scientist claim that race is socially constructed, they mean the concept of race can be changed and manipulated by society's views and cultural creation. The meaning and importance of race changes and is modified as times, people, and places change. For example, in the past, there were generally considered to be three main races. These three consisted of Caucasoid, Mongoloid, and Negroid, or what can be stereotyped as people with “white,” “yellow,” or “black” skin. The idea of race and what race is has evolved over time as society evolves. Because of this, it can be concluded that race is merely a social construction.
2. Name two possible benefits of racial / ethnic diversity. Name two possible costs of racial / ethnic diversity. Do the benefits outweigh the costs? Why?
Benefit 1: Expansion of culture
The expansion of culture between the races that blend together help create a unique and diverse culture. All of the strongest points of both cultures, food, art, or clothing, for example, can be shared between the cultures. This is a benefit to society because it helps to improve the everyday lives of people and add to diversity.
Benefit 2: Knowledge
Racial and ethnic diversity is also beneficial in the scientific and medical communities. When cultures mix, they share what they know, and this knowledge can help to save lives. For example, the nation of Cuba is an innovator in the medical community and has made great advances in finding a cure for HIV/AIDS. If the embargo was to be lifted between our nation and theirs, we would be able to use what they know about this illness to help American citizens. By blending our cultures, we would not only be strengthening both ours and their scientific communities, but countless lives could potentially be saved.
Cost 1: Difference in morals
It would potentially be dangerous to incorporate ideas from other cultures with a culture such as America because some places have wildly different morals than the US. For example, if America adopted the same views on domestic abuse as a country such as Japan or one of the many countries of Africa, things would only get worse for America. In these countries, it is not only seen as something morally okay, but it is a societal norm for husbands to beat their wives. If these negative parts of culture were incorporated into our way of life, racial diversity would not be beneficial.
Cost 2: Differences in ideas
Although new perspectives are always good, countries who have different ideas of “fact” would not benefit from racial and ethnic diversity. Take religion, for example. Country A says god is one person that created everything, and they very strongly stand by this belief. Country B says that there are hundreds of gods that each made and control different things, and they also very strongly believe that they are correct. If these two countries were to share knowledge and find that neither of them could except that the other is correct, wars could start.
It is hard to say if the benefits outweigh the costs, there are many pros and cons to each side. In my opinion, the sharing of culture benefits such an outstanding number of people I consider it a good thing. Ethnic and racial diversity is important on this planet, without it, people would start to get tunnel vision and not be able to see things that are different than them; only if people would be able to see disagreeance with acceptance rather than violence will society truly reap all the possible benefits of diversity.
Assignment K
Racial / Ethnic Prejudice:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-obama-presidency-race-grossman-20160328-story.html
This article describes how much like Washington was considered the “Father of America” and Lincoln was considered the “Great Liberator” President Obama is often called the “Worst President in American History.” The author describes how politics are meant to consist of arguments that “disagree with opponents but not demonize them.” This is the norm, except with Obama. People give corrupt and greedy presidents of the past a “passing grade” then “fail” Obama not because of his policies, but because of the color of his skin. These people have a racial prejudice and demonize him and his candidacy because of it.
Racial / Ethnic Discrimination:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/health-news/bergen-hospital-accused-of-racial-bias-fired-worker-files-whistle-blower-suit-1.1539207
This article details a hospital in Jersey that was uncovered to racially discriminate against the patients they accept into their drug rehabilitation program. Joel Ramirez, an ex employee from said hospital, revealed that he was ordered to make sure an African American man did not make it to the detox center because once he arrived, they would not be able to turn him away. The article also talks about the hospital racially discriminating against its employees, to quote:
“Additionally, the lawsuit alleges racial and ethnic discrimination among employees. Ramirez was disciplined for speaking Spanish in the unit, even when no patients were present, the lawsuit alleges. And the lawsuit claims minority nurses were not given what is know as "charge nurse training’’ so they could supervise shifts. Only Caucasian nurses are assigned as charge nurses, according to the lawsuit.”
There is one major difference between these two article, and ultimately, between prejudice and discrimination. Prejudice is consistent of opinions. It is basically not liking a minority for reasons such as the color of their skin or their gender. These people don’t like minorities, hence holding a prejudice against them. Discrimination, on the other hand, is acting upon one's prejudice. When someone discriminates against another, they are being aggressive towards them, they are attacking them, they are depriving them of basic rights, essentially, taking their prejudice into action.