THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS REST 1

Case Study: There Is No Such Thing as Rest

John Simpson
Professor Deanna Lindsey
Introduction to Sociology
November 12th, 2011








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1. Discuss the historical events that provided the foundation of slavery within the U.S.
In the early 17th century, European settlers in North America turned to African slaves as
a cheaper, more plentiful labor source than indentured servants (who were mostly poorer
Europeans). When a Dutch ship brought 20 Africans ashore at the British colony of
Jamestown, Virginia in 1619, slavery spread throughout the American colonies. It is
impossible to give accurate figures, so some historians have estimated that 6 to 7 million
slaves were bought to the New World during the 18th century alone. In the 17th and 18th
centuries, black slaves worked mainly on the tobacco, rice and indigo plantations of the
southern coast. After the American Revolution (1775-83), many colonists particularly in
the North, began to link the oppression of black slaves to their own oppression by the
British, and they called for the abolishment of slavery. After the war's end, however, the
new U.S. Constitution acknowledged the institution, counting each slave as three-fifths of
a person for the purposes of taxation and representation in Congress and guaranteeing the
right to repossess any "person held to service or labor" (an obvious euphemism for
slavery). (History.com, 2011) The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 solidified the
central importance of slavery to the South's economy. By the mid-19th century,
America's westward expansion, along with a growing abolition movement in the North,
would provoke a great debate over slavery that would tear the nation apart in the
American Civil War (1861-65). Though the Union victory freed the nation's 4 million
slaves, the legacy of slavery continued to influence American history, from the
tumultuous years of Reconstruction (1865-77) to the civil rights movement that emerged
in the 1960s, a century after emancipation.

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2. Explain how tradition plays a part in keeping people in slavery.
I believe that tradition plays a part in keeping people in slavery because that is all that
they know. Many people who are slaves are kept in the dark and do not know what
freedom is whether it be because they are not educated on it or they just have not been
offered the opportunity. In todays society slavery is still alive even though the United
States banned slavery in 1865. In some countries they still sell and buy slaves.
3. Explain the major factors that contribute to racial prejudice and discrimination
against African-Americans.
Some factors that contribute to racial prejudice and discrimination are socialization which
is many prejudices seem to be passed along from parents to children. The media
perpetuates demeaning images and stereotypes about assorted groups, such as ethnic
minorities, women, gays and lesbians, the disabled, and the elderly. Conforming
behaviors bring support from significant others, so rejecting prejudices may lead to losing
social support. The pressures to conform to the views of families, friends, and associates
can be formidable. Economic benefits have confirmed that prejudice especially rises
when groups are in direct competition for jobs. This can help explain why prejudice
increases dramatically during times of economic and social stress. Ethnocentrism is the
tendency to evaluate others' cultures by one's own cultural norms and values. It also
includes a suspicion of outsiders. Most cultures have their ethnocentric tendencies, which
usually involve stereotypical thinking.
4. Describe how prejudice and discrimination form a vicious cycle.
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Based on the Thomas theorem, stereotypes become real to people who believe them and
sometimes even to those who are victimized by them. The prejudice that white people
have against African-Americans does not produce innate inferiority but it can produce
social inferiority which could push minorities into lower paying jobs, lower schools and
segregated housing. When white people interpret the social disadvantage that minorities
do not measure up, a new round of prejudice and discrimination are unleashed which
continues the vicious cycle. (Macionis, 2010)
5. Describe several effective ways to improve contemporary African-American
relations in the U.S.
For decades, sociologists have looked to ways of reducing and eliminating conflicts and
prejudices between groups. One theory is the self-esteem hypothesis, which is when
people have an appropriate education and higher self-esteem, their prejudices will go
away. Another way to improve is to bring together members of different groups so they
can learn to appreciate their common experiences and backgrounds. Another one that
could help improve is for groups to lay aside their individual interests and learning to
work together for shared goals. Another one that can help eliminate prejudice is by
enforcing laws against discriminative behavior. Solutions to prejudice that emphasize
change at the individual level have not been successful. Changes in the law have helped
to alter some prejudiced attitudes. Without changes in the law, racial integration of public
facilities in America might never have occurred. Still, laws do not necessarily change
people's attitudes. In some cases, new laws can increase antagonism toward minority
groups. (CliffsNotes.com, 2011)
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References
CliffsNotes.com. (2011, November 12). Retrieved from Prejudice and Discrimination:
www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/topicArticleId-26957,articleId-26886.html
History.com. (2011). Retrieved from History website: www.history.com/topics/slavery
Macionis, J. J. (2010). Sociology . Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.