“Members of the Club” written by Lawrence Otis Graham describes the first-hand experience of a black student at Princeton University in the early 1980s. In his article, Graham describes an inability to associate/socialize with both white and African-American students at the university. This case contains important sociological aspects and can be analyzed through the lens of the five perspectives: Societalist, Group, Culture, Network, and Interactionist. The first perspective, functionalist/societalist, focuses on the macro level of social structure. It aims to understand how each societal phenomenon has an ascribed function that contributes to the stability of society by maintaining social order. Through this perspective, societies are …show more content…
“Members of the Club” addresses Lawrence Grahams network connections and separates his connections between white and black students. The network perspective describes homophily as the tendency for humans to associate and create ties to those like you. Because Graham is not entirely like the white students because of his skin color or entirely like the African-American students because of socioeconomic status/background he cannot achieve the strength or composition in network ties he desires. His goal of integrating in both societies is unattainable due to his failure in creating strong and weak ties in both racial camps. Graham characterizes his connections between black and white students when he states, “I had always ‘talked white’ in the sense that I played it safe thus making white people feel comfortable […] And I had always ‘slept black’ in that I had always placed my greatest loyalties, respect, and trust in black people in our causes” (215). In terms of the network perspective, Graham describes his connections with black people as deeper, strong ties, possibly a result of homophily, and his connections with white people as surface-level and based on a persona he has constructed to more easily
Structural Functionalism is the sociology theory that emphasizes how everything and everyone has a purpose in society. That each and every one of us is a puzzle piece that comes together in order to form a society, any missing puzzle piece would result in the downfall or shortcomings of the whole society. Whether this may be religion, education, economy, etc, all of these structures much work together in order to have a flourishing society where everyone works uniformly. Stability is achieved when everyone fulfills their duty is society.
In this brief report, I will be examining common practices, policies and resources that support Black women attending Princeton University. Included is a brief review of national averages in regards to higher education attainment and a rationale for continued rhetoric on this topic. My interest in this topic stem from my experience at State University’s Women Studies Program. While the conversation around gender is necessary and crucial, little attention was given to discussions of how race and gender affect an individual’s lived experience. I was constantly aware of my lack of representation among students who were in those classes and the faculty who taught.
Functionalism is a theory in which various social institutions and processes in society serve a significant function in order for society to continue
Dear White People is a film that depicts the white framework of society that pertains to a prestigious college that is predominantly middle-upper-class, white, students. The film follows the perspective of several African American students as they try to develop themselves towards self-actualization despite the oppressive stereotypes that label and sets parameters of socially acceptable behavior. The film provides a great example of ethnic attrition in the character of Lionel Higgins, as well as using the conflict perspective in connection with racism, and provides examples of both individual discrimination, and institutional discrimination.
Critical race theory (CRT) is a framework that may be useful for examining how racial climate impacts the undergraduate experiences of African-American students on college campuses (Murphy, Gaughan, Hume, & Moore, 2010). CRT draws from a broad base of literature in sociology, history, ethnic studies, women’s study, and law (Murphy, Gaughan, Hume, & Moore, 2010). CRT consists of five elements: 1) the centrality of race and racism, and their intersectionality with other forms of subordination, 2) the challenge to dominant ideology, 3) the commitment to social justice, 4) the centrality of experiential knowledge, and 5) the transdisciplinary perspective (Murphy, Gaughan, Hume, & Moore, 2010). Applying CRT to education is different than other CRT applications as it challenges traditional paradigms, methods, texts, and separate discourse of race, gender, and class by showing how social constructs intersect to impact on communities of color (Murphy, Gaughan, Hume, & Moore,
Introduction This paper examines the struggle African American students are more likely to face at a predominantly white institution (PWIs) than at a historically black college or university (HBCUs). Each author has his or her own take on this hypothesis; most of the author’s studies suggest that African American students have a hard time adjusting to an environment at a PWI (Littleton 2003). However, African American students at HBCUs tend to be at ease with their learning environment. Though many of the author’s agree with one another, there are other authors whose studies come to the conclusion that race is not a factor in college education anymore. That being the case, on average, the African American population is approximately four percent at PWIs (Littleton 2003).
The functionalist paradigm focuses on the integration of society, and how society how its own groups which has their own functions to help improve the peoples lives. Functionalist paradigm fits in the category of macro-sociology, because it focuses on the patterns that shape an entire society. Functionalists believe that society is maintained through the thought of trust and consensus on moral values for ideal behavior. Working together will result in a stable social environment that will create equality. Conflicts or dysfunctions will be view as a disease in the social system. Social conflict paradigm believes that society is divided into many groups that have their own goals, and that certain parts of the world have the luck of benefiting economic dominan...
Everywhere in the south a distinct separation between the black and white fraternities and sororities exists. Taking a look, even within the system ?the white fraternities belong to the InterFraternity Council, the white sororities to Panhellenic and the black Greeks to the National Panhellenic Council? (McCarthy). This separation only adds to the issue of racism and discrimination that continues to this day. Many of us think that it is not our problem or choose to ignore the issue. Many think that it is just the way it is; they are right, that is the way it is, but it does not have to be segregated. By sitting back and watching, we are agreeing with segregation and saying that it is okay. Efforts to conduct more interactions within the system and among chapters should be made. A director of Greek Life, Ron Binder, pointed out that ?we wanted to be the office of Greek Life, not the white office of Greek Life? (McCarthy).
and Fanny P. Yeung surveyed a population of juniors at UCLA, previously questioned by The Campus Life in America Student Survey (CLASS) as freshmen, to better understand how the student’s opinions towards interracial dating change over time. Harper and Yeung compare time spent in a diversely populated area with an increase in open-mindedness towards multiracial relations. Moreover, this study discusses how open minded individuals are 1.3 times as likely to engage in interracial relations and people in racially heterogeneous friend groups are twice as likely. As people become comfortable with other racial groups, they are inclined to disprove stereotypes, allowing them to trust one another. This study is insightful because unlike the general population, a diversified university results in more interracial exposure, social comfort, and open-mindedness, resulting in a higher chance of mixed relations. It is, however, limited because it focuses more or attitudes instead of
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is a prime example of Woodson’s argument on “miseducated” blacks. Although Thomas benefitted from programs like affirmative action, once he reached the high point in his career he supported legislature to end such programs. Hampton University and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities must take it upon themselves to teach their students the importance of contributing to their communities once they graduate and enter into the business world. Colleges like Hampton, Howard, Spelman and Morehouse have the opportunity to produce professionals that can restructure and save the black community. Students who graduate from these institutions have the resources and knowledge that are needed to revive the African American community and their economy. Black colleges must educate their students on the need for black businesses, role models and the importance of staying connected to their culture and community.
Brown, Tamara L., Gregory Parks, and Clarenda M. Phillips. African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision. Lexington: University of Kentucky, 2005. Print.
In modern United States culture, there is still a lack of understanding everyone’s perspectives, however, it is no longer based on one’s skin pigmentation. From 1959 to present day, Black Like Me, has stood the test of time with its depiction of racism, however throughout the years’ racism has dwindled down to marginally low numbers. At Georgia Southern University, the observations that Griffen saw in places like Mississippi, New Orleans, Montgomery, and Atlanta do not stand or at least are not publicly shown. For instance, in Black Like Me, the African Americans were disgraced, segregated, yelled absurdities at on the public transportation, and were prevent to leave at times, whereas at Georgia Southern University there will be interbedding in seats and anyone is welcomed to sit wherever they
Functionalism views society as the stability and assimilation of a range of forces that function within it. While society is a separate entity with a life of its own, there are individual elements contributing to that stability. Functionalism as a sociological theory emphasizes assimilation rather than the dissociation of society. Therefore, the society is seen as a whole that is compromised of parts which give one another their identity and their function. The part, whether that is education, such as a school, or sports, such as a football team, operates in relation to the other parts, and cannot be entirely understood in isolation from the other parts. All the parts are interrelated, and when there is a disturbance in any one of the parts, is when you can see the interdependence. But what is important about this theory is that “there will always be some reorganization and tendency to restore equilibrium” (Wallace and Wolf 17). Functionalist do not believe it’s crucial that the people involved in the society to be aware of this interconnectedness anymore than the brain and heart consciously realize that they work together as an organism.
The structural-functionalist perspective looks at society as a complex system composed of various parts much like a living organism. Each aspect of society contributes to society's functioning as a whole. Social institutions play a key role in keeping a society stable. All societies need certain things to survive (Newman 2010).
We see many of fields of society for example; government, educational, cultural and many more. Sociology is importantly the basis for almost all policies and idea which shape the world we are in. For example; Harriet Martineau, first female sociologists brought attention to ignored topics such as marriage, children, domestic and religious life and race relations. Without this idea being brought it up it would have always been an issue from society. Solving topics are so beneficial to making our society a better place. On a personal level it’s really changed my vision in the world. This enables us to understand paradigms. Structural functionalism was inspired partly by Durkheim, he stated that society is defined as a social system, with structures organized in an orderly way to form an organic, stable whole. This system enables us to understand and meet the circumstances in order to