35th Annual Student Research Conference
The Preservation and Transformation of Racial Inequality in America
Stephanie L. Coonfield
Dr. Brian Ott, Faculty Mentor
The inequities experienced by minoritized groups are constant and debilitating, and the forms of oppression targeting Black Americans have existed since this country was founded. From enslavement, reconstruction, and the civil rights movement to contemporary society, inequalities persevere despite efforts to counteract them. How have these problems endured for such a great period of time? Drawing from current sociology and the work of legal scholar, Reva Siegel, I propose it is substantially due to 'preservation through transformation'. Meaning, despite rules and opinions on racism appearing to change, oftentimes, the original institutions causing many inequities that exist today are just another form of discrimination that existed in the past and evolved into what they are now. Black Americans have never been protected by society to the same degree as White Americans and I will argue that without changing the entire system, this will continue to persist for many centuries to come.
Keywords: race, inequality, racism
Topic(s):Sociology
Presentation Type: Asynchronous Virtual Presentation
Session: 4-1
Location: https://flipgrid.com/886a9638
Time: 0:00