How does the racial problem affect people’s lives today?

How does the racial problem affect people’s lives today?

Introduction

Racism in the United States has remained a primary public concern despite the diverse efforts that have been put in place to control its development. The social environment has been greatly toxic based on the psychological influence on the lives of individuals, especially the minority groups. Minority groups have been greatly affected by racism as a result of the existing negative stereotypes that define different ethnic groups (Bailey et al., 18). Racial inequality has created major divisions and development of relations on racial lines in the United States, which is detrimental to cross-cultural relationships and overall commitment to the united states for all.  Ethnic inequality remains a significant issue in the united states across different settings including, school, health, law enforcement, and within the social environment where individuals are engaged using ethnic connotation.

Research question

How does the racial problem affect people’s lives today?

Significance of the study

Racism makes individuals appear inferior and less confidence, considering how they are addressed or treated by the majority population. Discrimination based on race occurs across different aspects of life among all communities of colour who are the most targeted. While there is an understanding on the change in view regarding racism in the United States based on the increased awareness and legislations that have focused on embracing cultural diversity, even modern white Americans still hold superiority views about the minority groups in the country. A 2018 poll conducted in the United States revealed that approximately 17% of Americans oppose interracial marriages with 19% among other ethnic groups, 18% among blacks and 15% among Hispanics opposing interracial marriages. These ideologies are mainly influenced by the existing perception among individuals based on the interaction and the different level of societal development which has created a different environment for positive change (Krieger, 21).

Literature review

The election of President Barack Obama, the first African American president, was viewed as though the United States has bridged the ever-increasing racial gap between the whites and minority groups in the country.  However, there has been no significant change in cross-cultural integration within the country, creating a highly diverse context in improving the lives of all Americans without substantial emphasis on ethnicity (Jones, 7). The rise of the alt-right movement which is a white nationalist coalition that seeks to expel sexual and racial minorities in the United States paints a different picture to the efforts that have been put in place emphasizing on cultural integration. The Department of Homeland security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have focused on controlling the rising white supremacist, who is the leading threat to domestic terrorism (Cramer, 28).

Hunt (2014) highlights that the idea of race is embedded in people’s ideologies. Thus the race or ethnic thinking informs the decisions made by individuals and are explained based on social interaction. Therefore racism is entangled in the mind of people because of how they think and relations that are formed where even the blind can make a conceptual sense of what entails race or racism. Individuals within the same ethnic group are influenced by a common thought process that informs their opinion regarding race and the existing perception (Hunt, 13).  Thus based on the findings from the article, it is evident that the basis of racism has shifted from physical as seen in slaves to a more complex system, as observed in the current mass incarceration. The race is defined mainly by physical traits such as skin color (Grigoryeva and Ruef, 19). However, the changes that have taken place provide a different understanding of factors that determine race, considering that individual opinion and perception are essential in deciding essential elements that help explain a committed understanding of these changes.

There is different understanding of the influence of racism on the lives of people today. Different individuals hold divergent views regarding racism which present the need to understand the significance of racism on the general experiences of citizens with a significant emphasis on creating a highly diverse and integrated coexistence among citizens. Building a more positive societal environment present a sharper focus on different factors that help promote positive coexistence. The global environment is highly embracing cultural diversity which is essential to the current social changes and adoption of better policies that can help empower individuals across different settings (Green, 29).

Racial profiling is a backward behaviour that is detrimental to peaceful coexistence among individuals. The interaction among individuals on daily life presents a highly practical focus on positive relationships that is defined by individuals. Students have also been affected by racism actions considering that individual social wellbeing is determined based on a different approach that aims at implementing a more substantial system that focuses on improving the lives of American citizens.  African American students have been primarily affected by racism in schools (Nash, 31).

Student self-belief and identity play a vital role in influencing their social interactions and the development of individual behaviour. A student who has a high level of self-belief is less likely to be a victim of microaggression (Piketty and Saez, 8). Weak mental strength, however, is associated with a low self-belief, which makes students vulnerable to bullying and being victimized within a social context. Therefore developing a more diverse process should concentrate on motivating students and ensure that they do not feel inferior, which is an essential aspect in defining a more exceptional approach in implementing positive outcomes (Chatters, 36). Therefore self-identity is a crucial factor that can help develop a reliable system where it is possible to attain improved results. Improving personal decisions is based on a strategic assessment of specific measures that define an enhanced level of individual development.

Attaining academic success is defined by different factors that present a positive environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, can achieve higher outcomes.  African American students are faced with difficult situations considering the need to navigate through a hostile social environment where they are perceived as inferior and not good enough (Belina and Keitzel, 25). African American students have to prove their worth over and over again because there is a stereotype that they are not always bright and intelligent. However, overthought this assertion is wrong; some African Americans are bullied to a belief that they are inferior and survive at the mercy of their white counterparts.

Data and methods

Research design

The study will be a cross-sectional survey design. This approach is essential in ensuring that data will be collected without manipulation of the research variables at a single point in time. Inferences will be made based on a specific understanding of independent and dependent variables (Marvasti, 44). This method will ensure that individuals across different settings are engaged to help in creating a highly organized context for improved understanding of how different individuals are affected by racism.

Research method

The research method presents an emphasis on a systematic plan that is organized with a critical focus on research development based on an underlying research issue. The research, in this case, employs an online survey research method which will help understand the evolution of racism within the united states and its implications. Survey method can be used for large populations which present a stronger emphasis on improved changes in research (Halcomb and Hickman, 14).

Study population

The study population is the specific group within the study area that is relevant to the present study. The study will include all individuals who have access to the internet across different ethnic groups in social media.  The population will target only minority groups in the United States who have been greatly influenced by racism over the years.

Sampling procedure

Sampling strategy includes the plan that the researcher will use to obtain the participants in the study. The sampling strategy that will be used is random sampling. A random sampling includes individual from the target population where every individual within the population is eligible for selection (Basavanna and Basavanna, 4). The researcher will use the inclusion criteria in ensuring that the sample population meets the underlying guidelines.

Sample size

The sample size will be calculated using Fischer’s method. The proportion of racism in communities is not known. Hence the proportion will be measured at 50%.

Where n is the sample population

Z² is the abscissa of the normal curve (1.96)

p is the estimated prevalence in the population (0.5)

q is (1-p) the proportion of an attribute that is absent in the population (0.5)

e is the margin of error included in the study (5%)

Therefore the sample size will be

n = (1.96²) (0.5*0.5)/0.0025)

= 0.9604/0.0025

= 384

The sample size is 384

Instruments

The study will utilize a semi-structured questionnaire which will help in understanding the underlying aspects that are being evaluated in the study. A questionnaire is the most appropriate data collection tool, in this case, considering it is easy to obtain specific information that can be used in the analysis and determination of the research problem. It is possible to reach many individuals within a short period of time.

Validity and reliability

Reliability is a measure of the consistency of an assessment tool (Thyer et al., 31). A measure is considered being reliable when it produces the same results for different participants. Reliability provides focus on the consistency of a given measure.  Validity is the extent to which a given measurement can give accurate results that correspond to the real world (Kurian, 39). A tool is assessed to determine whether it will produce the results intended based on the methodology adopted. Internal validity of the study will be achieved through a pre-test.

Collection of data

The researcher will target online gatherings that are developed based on different ethnic populations to identify specific individuals who will be engaged in ensuring that all minority groups are included in the study. Facebook will be the primary online social network that the questionnaires link will be shared. The questionnaire will take approximately 2 minutes to complete.

Data analysis

SPSS version 25 will be used in analyzing the data.  The findings will be considered significant at p<0.05. Data will be presented in tables, charts and graphs. All statistical tests will be conducted at 5% level of significance (p < 0.05). Categorical data will be analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test will be done to determine the association between categorical variables included in the study. The level of significance will be set at 95%, and a p-value of less than 0.05 will be considered significant.

Ethical Consideration

The study will seek approval from the Internal Review  Committee, which will focus on presenting a better emphasis on measures that control the development of the research. Informed consent will be requested from the study participants after the purpose of the research study has been explained. Written consent by either signing or providing their thumbprints on the consent forms will be obtained from the two parties.  There will be no coercion nor negative consequences to the participants who decline to participate. It will be a non-invasive study. Participant’s confidentiality and privacy will be observed throughout by ensuring personal data do not appear anywhere during the study and results dissemination.

Hypotheses or Preliminary Findings AND Discussion

The study aims at determining the effect of racism on the lives of individuals. Therefore different measures will be assessed, which present a more robust understanding of research development. The key variables of interest will include, racially abused or discriminated in the last three months, perception of racism and individual assertion on the influence of racism on their lives. The independent variables that will be included in the study include age, gender, level of education, faced racism and number of times faced racism. The dependent variable is an individual rating on the influence of racism on life.

The preliminary findings from the study will establish that those individuals who have been racially abused or faced discrimination frequently will be associated with lower quality of life rating compared to those who have not faced racism. There is also a likelihood of lower rating among women compared to men.

Questions

1. Gender

Male  [  ]

Female [  ]

2. In which city do you live

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Age (years)………..
4. Level of education

Primary level [  ]

Secondary level [  ]

Post-secondary level  [  ]

5. Which ethnicity best describes you

African American [  ]

Asian [  ]

Hispanic  [  ]

American Indian [  ]

6. Racially abused in the last three months

Yes [  ]

No [  ]

7. If yes, how many times

………………………………

8. How did you feel

Very bad [  ]

Bad  [  ]

Did not care [  ]

9. Do you think racism affects your life?

Yes [  ]

No  [  ]

10. If yes, to what extent?

To large extent [  ]

To a small extent [  ]

Works cited

Bailey, Zinzi D., et al. “Structural Racism and Health Inequities in the USA: Evidence and Interventions.” The Lancet, 2017, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30569-X.

Basavanna, M., and M. Basavanna. “Research Methods in Psychology.” Psychology for Nurses, 2015, doi:10.5005/jp/books/12408_3.

Belina, Bernd, and Svenja Keitzel. “Racial Profiling.” Kriminologisches Journal, 2018, doi:10.4324/9781315699868-547.

Chatters, Lawrence. Exploring the Moderating Effects of Racial / Ethnic Socialization, Academic Motivation and African American Racial Identity on the Relation between Microaggressions and Mattering of African American Students at Predominantly White Institutions. 2018.

Cramer, Katherine. “Understanding the Role of Racism in Contemporary US Public Opinion.” Annual Review of Political Science, 2020, doi:10.1146/annurev-polisci-060418-042842.

Green, Ben. “The False Promise of Risk Assessments: Epistemic Reform and the Limits of Fairness.” FAT* 2020 – Proceedings of the 2020 Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency, 2020, doi:10.1145/3351095.3372869.

Grigoryeva, Angelina, and Martin Ruef. “The Historical Demography of Racial Segregation.” American Sociological Review, 2015, doi:10.1177/0003122415589170.

Halcomb, Elizabeth, and Louise Hickman. “Mixed Methods Research.” Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987), 2015, doi:10.7748/ns.29.32.41.e8858.

Hunt, Jennifer S. “Race in the Justice System.” APA Handbook of Forensic Psychology, Vol. 2: Criminal Investigation, Adjudication, and Sentencing Outcomes., 2014, doi:10.1037/14462-005.

Jones, Camara P. “Systems of Power, Axes of Inequity.” Medical Care, 2014, doi:10.1097/mlr.0000000000000216.

Krieger, Nancy. “Measures of Racism, Sexism, Heterosexism, and Gender Binarism for Health Equity Research: From Structural Injustice to Embodied Harm—an Ecosocial Analysis.” Annual Review of Public Health, 2020, doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040119-094017.

Kurian, George. “Reliability and Validity Assessment.” The Encyclopedia of Political Science, 2014, doi:10.4135/9781608712434.n1341.

Marvasti, Amir. “Research Methods.” The Cambridge Handbook of Social Problems, 2018, doi:10.1017/9781108656184.003.

Nash, Kindel A. Turner. “Blinded by the White: Foregrounding Race in a Language and Literacy Course for Preservice Teachers.” Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences, 2014.

Piketty, Thomas, and Emmanuel Saez. “Inequality in the Long Run.” Science, 2014, doi:10.1126/science.1251936.

Thyer, Bruce A., et al. “Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research.” The Handbook of Social Work Research Methods, 2019, doi:10.4135/9781544364902.n19.