SOC 220 Week 2 Discussion 2
answer:
We can reduce racism in America by passing the Civil Rights Act and Affirmative Action. Although racism still exists in America today, there is more awareness of the social problems of discrimination and prejudice as a consequence of legislative actions such as the Civil Rights Act. Many Americans now readily recognize that many of the prejudices and discrimination they face are due to subconscious feelings rather than because of another person’s explicit intent to discriminate against them on the basis of their race or religion. Furthermore, public high schools have instituted curricula that call attention to these social ills and question the values of a society that tolerates differential treatment based on gender and ethnicity or skin color.
The intention of the Civil Rights Act was to eliminate racism and discrimination. However, the source of this social problem differs from its consequences: prejudice, which is an individual’s negative attitude towards certain people based solely on personal characteristics such as race, religion, gender and sexual orientation; and discrimination, the action of excluding a person or group from full participation in society.
The success of the Civil rights Act of 1964 in eliminating racism cannot be measured. Statistics show that segregation has declined since the passage of the Civil rights Act of 1964 but not at an equal rate among all races. Some believe after forty-nine years, it is safe to say that these laws have been successful in removing some of the historical causes and foundations for racism. Affirmative action was created with good intentions and if applied correctly can help equal opportunity. If affirmative action programs are properly utilized, they can create a change for the future generations.
To solve the problem of racism, we must eliminate Affirmative Action from all universities along with the Civil Rights Act. This would remove all favoritism that is even remotely linked to skin color . Until this happens, racism will persist and people’s freedom of opportunity will be limited.
question:
Explain whether the Civil Rights Act or Affirmative Action eliminated racism in America. Why or why not? Explain a theory you have regarding the source of prejudice or discrimination in America. Provide a possible solution to alleviate this social problem.