Free Essays on Inequality

The myth of a "classless" American society coupled with social stratification impedes race relations in the U.S. far more than any racial differences. The never ending struggle of the "have-nots" to become one of the "haves" produces a frustration and feeling of oppression that acts as a catalyst for spawning racial tensions. Minorities see the majority of wealth in the hands of the white population and feel that the wealth is unevenly distributed. Whites hear of government programs for minorities and feel as if they are lazy or just looking for a handout. This occurs and stereotypes are formed. Combine all of this with the United States system of "dual welfare"and the perfect environment for racial strife is created. In our "classless"society of false hope the working class and poor are continually seeking opportunities to excel that just aren't there. They have been led to believe that intelligence and ambition are key contributors to one's success. This belief lays blame on the un successful themselves, even if they do possess ambition and intelligence. These people are in a never ending cycle of struggle, followed by minimal rewards, which eventually produces a frustration that sometimes leads to desperate measures. Cornell West expands on this with the following statement : ". . . homicidal assaults by young black men on one another are only the most obvious signs of this empty quest for pleasure, property, and power" (Race and Racism p.123). This statement shows the extremes one will go to in his "empty quest" for a better life. This is not only happening 2 to blacks by blacks. It is happening to all races by all races. People hear of events like these and categorize them as a racial crime or a racially motivated crime just because the victims may be of a different race. As West's statement demonstrates the killings occur as a means to an end, the end being a better life. In our ever diversifying melting pot of a country, same race... Free Essays on Inequality Free Essays on Inequality As we prosper through time, inequality is slowly less evident. A lot of people don't realize that although things are improving with time, inequality is still prominent in our society. The people that are failing to realize that there still is inequality are the fortunate ones. They rise well above the poverty line, and usually live relatively economically sound lives. They are the people who are supplied with our society's benefits. On the other hand, the people that are in pursuit of social change, and constantly bring attention to issues of equal rights and privileges, are often the people that do not have them. This paper will illustrate some of the sociological facets of class, race, and gender, and how they are interwoven with other dimensions of social stratification. Some people believe that stratification has beneficial consequences. Of course, these people are on the higher end of the stratification hierarchy, which makes it easier for them to agree with that statement. â€Å"There seems no place where hierarchical status orderings aren’t discoverable.†(Fussel, Class, p.9) They believe that the harder one works the more they will achieve, thus promoting production in society. However, individuals at the lower end of the stratification system disagree with that. Their social status prevents them from achieving their best because all of their benefits and advantages are given to those of higher status, â€Å"certain limits have been placed on their capacity to ascend socially†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Fussel, Class, p.7) The lower class is instantly denied society’s privileges, which tends to discourage them, often leaving them feeling helpless. Unfortunately, this helplessness tends to be viewed by many higher classed people as lazine ss. What is not realized is that stratification is a character of society, and not just a reflection on individual differences. Stratification is universal but variable. It involves beliefs and persists over gene... Free Essays on Inequality 1. I’m in going into the business management field. If the economy continues to grow for the rest of my life, I think my income would raise considerably. I feel that business is a very important field, because business respectfully has to do with anything and everything that has to do with a business and the economy. If that does continue to grow and grow the income possibilities are endless. I feel that the occupation that I am interested in is closer to affluence than comfortable. If the economy stays level, I feel that, my income would be relativity the same as I am starting the profession. Then when I have established myself at a company for a long period of time my income would rise at a steady pace. If the economy starts to decline, my income would be stay basically the same. Only because I feel that studies have shown profession in the affluent field continue to raise not decline through out a long period of time. I feel that if the economy continues to grow, that everyone will benefit from a growing economy. There will be less poverty, and some of the comfortable people will go to the affluent class, and there will be less inequality. If the economy levels out, I feel that it will be a struggle for the working class and even for the comfortable class. The cost of living will go up and everyone, besides the affluent class will find it difficult to make ends meet and get the goodies in life. When this happens I’m am sure that you will see greater inequality. If the economy declines then it would be a loss for the comfortable class and the poverty class. I’m sure that everyone would be affected by the decline in the economy but the ones that would be affected the most would be the comfortable class and the poverty class. You would see people from the comfortable class drop into the poverty class. Hence you would see more people in the poverty class. You will see the rich g et richer and the poor will... Free Essays on Inequality The myth of a "classless" American society coupled with social stratification impedes race relations in the U.S. far more than any racial differences. The never ending struggle of the "have-nots" to become one of the "haves" produces a frustration and feeling of oppression that acts as a catalyst for spawning racial tensions. Minorities see the majority of wealth in the hands of the white population and feel that the wealth is unevenly distributed. Whites hear of government programs for minorities and feel as if they are lazy or just looking for a handout. This occurs and stereotypes are formed. Combine all of this with the United States system of "dual welfare"and the perfect environment for racial strife is created. In our "classless"society of false hope the working class and poor are continually seeking opportunities to excel that just aren't there. They have been led to believe that intelligence and ambition are key contributors to one's success. This belief lays blame on the un successful themselves, even if they do possess ambition and intelligence. These people are in a never ending cycle of struggle, followed by minimal rewards, which eventually produces a frustration that sometimes leads to desperate measures. Cornell West expands on this with the following statement : ". . . homicidal assaults by young black men on one another are only the most obvious signs of this empty quest for pleasure, property, and power" (Race and Racism p.123). This statement shows the extremes one will go to in his "empty quest" for a better life. This is not only happening 2 to blacks by blacks. It is happening to all races by all races. People hear of events like these and categorize them as a racial crime or a racially motivated crime just because the victims may be of a different race. As West's statement demonstrates the killings occur as a means to an end, the end being a better life. In our ever diversifying melting pot of a country, same race...