This post discusses the problem of explicit racism against police officers and society as a whole. As more people of color become victims of injustice and discrimination based merely on their race, people must understand that abuse of power is unlawful and outrageous. The murder of George Floyd was one example of the police’s brutal racism, and there are many more cases of horrible discrimination that takes people’s lives. According to Barkan (2017), racism and prejudice are based on mistaken generalizations of people. Society should not let such simplifications and ignorance affect others’ lives.
The socio-economic gap between Whites and people of color discussed in this post harms many people’s lives. There is a systemic inequality in society reflected in the difference in income, education, job opportunities, access to healthcare, and other important aspects of human life. As Barkan (2017) reports, despite some improvements, people of color still face significant challenges and gaps compared to the white population. The story of an African American female struggling to become a doctor and attend a medical school shows that racial inequality gaps must be addressed to give everyone equal opportunities and support.
The theory of symbolic interactionism suggests that people construct their roles in society through interactions with others. On the one hand, such an approach creates symbols, gestures, and behaviors in communities that people can interpret and use to communicate. On the other hand, this theory can be used to understand social problems better. For instance, individuals can engage in problematic behaviors as they learn them from others (Barkan, 2017). Beliefs and actions of other individuals can influence one’s own perceptions and behavior. Therefore, the principles of symbolic interactionism are essential since they show connections between people and the consequences of different interactions.
Reference
Barkan, S. E. (2017). Social problems: Continuity and change. University of Minnesota Press.