Introduction:
Race is a fascinating example of the social construction of reality. While biological differences between people of different races are substantially (and literally) skin-deep, race holds a much bigger significance in a social sense. In other words, it was people deciding that race was meaningful that made it meaningful (self-fulfilling prophecy). It was through this process that people have been categorized in racial groups (majority/minority) and labeled either as superior or inferior (racism) throughout history. With that, varying degrees of advantage and disadvantage have been attributed to the groups over time, resulting in practices that today are considered illegal, immoral, and unconstitutional (enslavement, imprisonment, hate crimes, blocked from participating in society fully and equally). While these prejudices do change over time, they seem to be difficult to shake and there is still ample evidence of racial discrimination that happens every day in the United States.
This documentary, “The House We Live In: Race – The Power of An Illusion” is a historical narrative about the social construction of race. Though Sociologists do analyze individual racism and discrimination, they are particularly interested in structural forms of inequality. This is also known as institutional discrimination, which refers to discrimination built into our social institutions like education, religion, polity, and economy.
The purpose of this assignment is to view the social construction of race in America and make connections between historical forms of racism and the prejudice and discrimination that continues today.
Make sure you review Chapters 11 and 21 as well as the Power Point notes and videos prior to completing this essay.
Step 1: Watch the documentary film, taking notes along the way
The documentary can be accessed from SCCC Library Homepage. Choose “Streaming Videos”, then “Films On Demand” and type in the name of documentary: “The House We Live In: Race – The Power of An Illusion”
Please take note that the historical material within this documentary can be difficult to hear/see.
Step 2: Write the essay
While incorporating our course concepts (see note* below for more details), write a one-page essay that addresses the following objectives:
1. Describe an example from the film that illustrates the social construction of race.
2. What types of intergroup relations (as referenced in your textbook) were present in the film? Give examples.
3. Describe one of the examples of institutional discrimination that was discussed in the documentary. What long lasting effects have these forms of institutional discrimination had?
4. Use your textbook to discuss at least one of the social factors/mechanisms that have led to social change when it comes to institutional discrimination.
*Important Note About Incorporating Course Concepts: Because I use these assignments to evaluate your learning of our course materials, it is imperative that you include at least 5 terms or concepts from the chapters associated with this assignment. You can incorporate them anywhere within the paper. Define, explain, apply these terms in a way that demonstrates your understanding of the chapter material. Be sure to include in-text citations each time that you refer to the textbook.
Sources: Our textbook (Ch 11 and 21) and the documentary film