Race at Work and School

Occupational Segregation 

The paper is a reflection on the concepts bordering on race at work and school. Occupational segregation is the distribution of workers across various occupations based on different demographic factors. Occupational segregation by race is a phenomenon whereby the key demographic factor determining one's placement in a job is their skin color. Segregation in the hiring and firing process has been a major contributor to the income gaps between races as white-collar jobs tend to pay more than either pink or blue color jobs. White-collar jobs, which encompass managerial positions, are occupied more by the white and Asian populations while manual jobs are occupied by other minority races (Owens, 2017). Therefore, the variation in income level is demystified by the quality of life exhibited by the two racial groups.

Wealth Gaps by Race 

Wealth is the cumulative total value of all assets owned by an individual. The racial wealth gap in America is higher than the income wealth gap. This is attributable to the fact that wealth has been transferred across generations. As a result, wealth disparities are evident in the contemporary United States setting owing to the social divide that prevailed during the slavery era in America (Borgo, 2019). Wealth also provides access to avenues to make more wealth meaning that those who possess wealth are by default likely to have more income than those with no wealth. Furthermore, by privilege of wealth, the affluent get better jobs. As a result, the wealth disparity persists.

Income Gaps 

Income encompasses the flow of funds into one's hold; taking into account one’s earnings, whether in salaries, rent, or interests from investments. Income gaps are directly affected by occupational segregation. People with high earning jobs have higher incomes and thus are likely to be more wealthy (Owens, 2017). As aforementioned in the preceding sections members of the majority racial group are more likely to secure high paying jobs as their counterparts that descend from minority racial groups. As a result, it can be inferred that the income gap stems from the aspect of race.

Residential Segregation 

This is the physical separation of various groups into distinct neighborhoods. The nature of a neighborhood one resides in is tied to among other factors the cost of the housing and social amenities in a given area. Wealthy and high income earning people afford better housing and posh neighbourhoods. The affordability of these amenities is a factor of both their wealth and income, which is attributable to the occupation. It, therefore, suffices that people that earn a particular income are more or less likely to live in a similar setting. People of color are more likely to be segregated into neighborhoods that lack basic social amenities while compared to their white counterparts.

Educational Segregation 

Educational segregation is a phenomenon that is characterized by favorism in admission and treatment of a learner based on his or her racial background. For a long time in American history, the people of African descent schooled separately from white students. The story of Rodney Coates as told in the book The Matrix of Race is a classic illustration of this segregation (Rodney, 2018). However educational segregation is an interplay of multiple factors from gender, to race as well as economic inequality. Some schools are inaccessible to poor children from minority groups because of the fees charged. Segregation in academic spheres has far-reaching repercussions over other segregations since it has been taunted as the great equalizer. Thus, inequality at this level tends to spill over to all other sectors by default. Moreover, where one lives determines the school they go to, meaning residential segregation results in educational segregation

Education Relationship to Social Class 

Social class is characterized by the classification of individuls based on people's economic and social standards. The economic wellness of people has a direct bearing on the level and quality of education they obtain (Owens, 2017). While generally, curriculums are similar across the board, the staff and facilities available for learners vary across the socioeconomic spectrum. This implies that those in a limited resource setting are more likely to obtain low-quality education. Therefore, the quality of education one obtains, to a given degree, dictate their position on the socio-economic spectrum because well-educated individuals can secure better-paying jobs that those that undertook a substandard education

References

Borgo, M. D. (2019). Ethnic and Racial Disparities in saving behavior. The Journal Of Economic Inequality , 253-283.

Owens, A. (2017). Income Segregation Between School districts and inequality in student achievement. Sociology Of Education , 1-27.

Rodney D Coates, A. F. (2018). The Matrix Of Race. California: Sage Publications.