RACISM IN TODAYS

SOCIETY
Brittany Cruz

Table of Contents

Reflection Paper
Global Issues: Racism
The Most Discriminated against people
Comparing Ethnicity Growth
Gang Leader for a Day
Final Reflection Paper
Work Cited

Reflection Paper
Racism in todays society is still prevalent; for example, the recent
shooting of a young African American male by a Caucasian officer. Evidence
was found that the male belonged to a gang and had stolen hours before in a
store. However, the local community was outraged, because it was done by a
white officer and people refused to believe proven visual evidence. I have
found that today African American communities are treated in favor over other
races due to the accusers fear of being called racist.
The definition of racism to me is the pre-judgment of a person
because of their skin color, size, social class, or gender. There are many types
of pre-judgments and different circumstances to consider, but the term
racism is used too freely and often from certain ethnicities. Every ethnicity is
categorized and judged to a certain extinct and not just because of their skin
color, but mainly because of their actions and behavior in a community. I feel
the term racism is used as an escape goat rather than acknowledging your
wrong doings by your actions and not your skin color.
Some areas of the U.S. contain more racism than others due to the
less diverse population. American is very diverse in our culture and because of
this racism is not as prevalent as what it was in the earlier years. Our society
has much to learn and will continue to improve, but I believe we are on the
right path to fixing the issue. Laws and regulations are put into action to help
those of all races.

Global Issues: Racism

Shah defines the terms racism and
discrimination, but more so why people feel a
desire to treat others differently. Her idea is that
race gives people a reason to categorize people
into groups to create social statuses. Racism is
way to make a specific group appear lesser
compared to others. This technique of
manipulation has gone on for centuries where a
dominant group harasses the opposite for their
own benefit. Today, Racism is not only toward
ethnicities, but any group that stands out of the
popular norm.

The most discriminated-against people

in America? Its people like you, of
course.
Aaron Blake, author of the article argues
that race is not the only ethnicity or group
receiving discrimination. When people think of
race they automatically assume blacks are at the
receiving end; whereas whites among other
ethnicities are starting to express their
experience with racism as well. The focus of the
article is to remind readers that we have all been
victims of racism whether its because of religion,
race, or age; people are being victimized. Blake
attempts to create similarities among different
groups in order for them to understand one

Comparing Numbers
Ethnicities in 2010

Ethnicities

5%

Caucasian
Hispanics
Asian
African American
13%

17%

65%

Ethnicities in 2014

Ethnicities
Caucasian
Hispanic
Asian
African American
5% 12%
15%

68%

As you can see from the chart provided above that numbers in ethnicities groups
has remained steady for some time. However; our attitude toward each individual
race is what has changed compared to previous generations.

Gang Leader for a Day

The book is about a young graduate student who is going to U
of C to receive his masters. Sudhir, the college student finds that he is
in need of a research group to complete his final courses. Before, he
establishes his focus group Sudhir pursues interest in a few older
gentlemen in down town. These men have lived in the rural streets for
many years and had many stories to tell Sudhir. With great yearning
for additional knowledge the young naive student searches for a gang
to study. His hopes are to discover the life of a gang member and
establish how their economy, structure, and family life work within the
community. The theme of the book involves Sudhir struggling to keep a
professional relationship with the members, because he creates close
relationships with the people. The purpose of the book is to provide
insight on what life is like for the people who live in poverty. Most of the
knowledge society has about the ghetto is what is heard from the
media or statistical data; however, what the book reveals is their side
of the story and what they think about their lives within the community.
Gang Leader for a Day answers questions society has toward gang
members such as; whats the purpose for the gang? Why is their
violence? And how does race play a role in the ghetto.

Final Reflection Paper

Through researching racism and discrimination I
have learned that racial groups are not the only
categories judged based on status, cultures or
education. There are a lot of different forms of racism;
only some are harder to distinguish than others. It was
interesting to read that many Americans feel as though
we are victims to discrimination; yet, we are the people
who have established these ideas of how certain people
should communicate or behave. Information such as this
will help me with future employment because it will
prepare me for the diversity presented in career
opportunities now and later. Also, due to the course
material and readings I am able to recognize what
discrimination limit the possibility of it happening in a
work environment or personal life.

Work Cited
Venkatesh, Sudhir Alladi. Gang Leader for a Day: A
Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets. New
York:
Penguin, 2008. Print.
Shah, A. (n.d.). Racism. Retrieved December 4,
2014,from
http://www.globalissues.org/article/165/racism
Blake, A. (n.d.). The most discriminated-against
people in America? Its people like you, of course.
Retrieved December 4, 2014, from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-