Introduction
Many people are often treated differently based on their ethnicity and race. In Chapter 11 of their book Introduction to Sociology, Giddens et al. (2021) discuss the concepts of race and ethnicity and explore racism in the modern US. The authors argue that contemporary racism has several facets, present controversies regarding new immigrants, and debate on the presence of representatives of different races and ethnicities across the nation.
Discussion
Racism is a concept topic that concerns multiple individuals in diverse areas of life. Giddens et al. (2021) investigate the theme of racism and argue that it can be understood through several distinct concepts. In particular, the writers state that racism is one specific form of prejudice concerning physically inherited characteristics, and it can be color-blind, institutional, overt, or expressed through microaggressions or White privilege (Giddens et al., 2021). For instance, the authors propose that the case of George Floyd is an example of institutional racism (Giddens et al., 2021). Consequently, the writers’ argument centers on racism and its illustrations in modern society.
Historical representations of racism raise many issues about how diverse groups of people have been treated. Giddens et al. (2021) debate the presence of various ethnic and racial groups across the country and their experiences. For example, the authors claim that Hispanics and Latinos have a long history of immigrating to the US, often come undocumented, and are employed more cheaply than indigenous workers (Giddens et al., 2021). Accordingly, the authors discuss how certain races and ethnicities have arrived and lived in the US.
The subject of racism is associated with numerous questions regarding the difficulties faced by diverse individuals and the consequences of mistreatment. Giddens et al. (2021) present a controversy about whether new immigrants benefit or hinder the economy in the country. While some dispute that immigrant workers enhance the national economy, others argue that employees who come from overseas cannot secure employment due to not being educated and skilled enough (Giddens et al., 2021). Therefore, the authors demonstrate that racial and ethnic disparities can be influential for both the public and the economy.
The discussions provided in the above-reviewed chapter seem quite substantial. Upon analyzing the topic of racism on my own, I can say that I share the writer’s point of view. For instance, Giddens et al. (2021) suggest that the murder of George Floyd illustrates institutional racism, which focuses on the notion that social institutions promote White supremacy. Similarly, a recent article indicates that George Floyd’s killing is connected to police violence against Black civilians (Reny & Newman, 2021). I support the authors’ position that the Black population has fewer opportunities than White people because it appears convincing that different forms of racism do not persecute many White individuals (Giddens et al., 2021). For example, although race-related housing inequalities have declined, Black Americans live in poorer neighborhoods than White people (Quillian et al., 2020). Nonetheless, the analysis presented by Giddens et al. (2021) seems to have missed the perspective of the White citizens. For instance, a national survey has reported that White Americans believe discrimination against Whites is becoming more common nowadays (Payne, 2019). Consequently, the reviewed chapter offers a sufficient investigation of racism, but the topic can be explored further.
Conclusion
To conclude, the authors argue about concepts concerning contemporary racism, debate the experiences of different races and ethnicities in the US, and offer a controversy about racial and ethnic minorities and the economy. Based on doing additional research on the subject, I agree with the insights of the chapter. However, it seems that the writers should have mentioned the position of White people to analyze the other side of the matter and broaden the discussion. Overall, the text provided a substantial examination of the topic of race, ethnicity, and racism.
Reference
Giddens, A., Duneier, M., Appelbaum, R. P., & Carr, D. (2021). Introduction to sociology (12th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
Payne, K. (2019). The truth about anti-white discrimination.Scientific American. Web.
Quillian, L., Lee, J. J., & Honoré, B. (2020). Racial discrimination in the US housing and mortgage lending markets: A quantitative review of trends, 1976–2016. Race and Social Problems, 12(1), 13-28. Web.
Reny, T. T., & Newman, B. J. (2021). The opinion-mobilizing effect of social protest against police violence: Evidence from the 2020 George Floyd protests. American Political Science Review, 115(4), 1499-1507. Web.