Race plays a significant role in influencing the social, economic and political outcomes of the American citizens. The socioeconomic status and political opportunities that are available to a specific demographic is influenced by both the race and ethnic background. To understand the complex ways in which race and ethnicity influence socioeconomic and political outcomes, it is important to recognize the disparities that exist. Race and ethnic background combine together to influence the social, economic, political and legal ramifications in contemporary America.
Race is recognized as a social construct that affects the social structure in America. As a social construct, race influences the capacity in which different aspects of the society intersect and affect the outcome of life as well as disrupt it. Race exists as an intricate part of the society and has consequences that affect people. Ontologically, race is considered to be subjective as it affects how people and others perceive them. Bethune (1955) asserts the racial construct that is used to define the black community is characterized by prejudice and pressure, which has deprived them of the economic success that Black people would access if they were not limited by racial blocs. Thus, as a social construct race continues to be used in the American society to limit Black people.
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Race is used by the dominant groups in the society to impose boundaries on the minority groups. The power that the dominant groups in society possess enables them to define the opportunities available for people belonging to a specific demographic. For example, due to the social constructs that have been used to define the black people in America, their confidence in one another and their abilities has been affected. According to Bethune (1955) if Black people did not allow the racial blocs used to define them stop them, they can work together and improved their economic status. Developing individual confidence is crucial in ensuring that the racial blocs imposed on Black people do not limit their vision. Black people in America face socioeconomic constrain due to the years of suppression that they have faced; thus, through confidence they can build businesses and develop economically.
The legal ramifications of race arise from the racial profiling that is used to define people of color. Therefore, these legal consequences of race have elicited contemporary debate in the American society – as race is used to categorize people into groups based on stereotypes. In the United States, race has formed the basis of discrimination, social exclusion, inequalities, persecution and hate crimes. In his letter, Martin Luther King affirmed that black people faced injustice in the society due to their ethnicity (1963). The effects of racial discrimination affect the Black people as a community as they are subjected to unequal and unfair treatment. Black people are treated as minorities in America as they are perceived as “outsiders.” This is evident in how hate crimes against black people are prevalent as well as how people of color are discriminated upon based on the stereotype notions formed by the society.
The Civil Rights Movement is an explicit example of the legal ramifications of race in America. Activists such as Martin Luther King invested their time and effort to ensure that racial discrimination did not prevail in the country. However, they were faced with hostility and disappointment as the government disregarded their pleas for equality. In the modern day society in America racial profiling is still prevalent as Black people continue to face discrimination and prejudice. As a result, the struggle to achieve racial equality and justice continues as people from the Black community continue to strive and escape the stereotype labels used to define them. According to King (1963) throughout history privileged groups rarely give up their privileges even though some individuals may recognize it to be the morally upright thing to do. Therefore, Black people are tasked with the duty of defending their rights and status in the society as privileged groups continue to use their position in the society to subject them to injustices.
Slavery is identified as the primary cause of the socioeconomic, legal and political consequences associated with race. Obama (2008) asserts that slavery is the social construct that is often associated with race. Slavery was used in America to distinguish the position of the White person from that of the Black person. Consequently, Black people have continued to suffer due to the consequences of slavery, as they are often associated with negative connotations. Therefore, to resolve the challenges arising from race it is crucial for America to create a society that defines people beyond their skin color.
Conclusion
The social, economic, political and legal ramifications of race in contemporary America are mainly associated with the historical context of the country. The perceptions and attitudes that people have towards the Black communities, stems from the social constructs that have used to define them and their status in the society. As a result, the connotations associated with race come from the historical events of slavery and racial discrimination.
References
Bethune, M. (1955). Last Will and Testament. Ebony Magazine
King, M. (1963). Letter from the Birmingham Jail. Retrieved from: http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/publications/copyright.htm
Obama, B. (2008). A More Perfect Union.
