Introduction to Sociology

Introduction to Sociology

Question 1

One can draw three conclusions from the article ‘Duck Dynasty’ and Quackery’. The first conclusion drawn from the article is morals (Blow, 2013). Every society has established a set of morals that every member of society must practice. The second conclusion is that distress. The article explains an immature blind man with distress. Blacks suffered distress as they worked as farmers in White’s farms. The last conclusion includes demonstrates the existed of the Black System (Blow, 2013). The system was developed to manage interactions between blacks and whites. This restrained the liberty of blacks.

Question 2

Blow says that Robertson’s comments can result in human suffering as well as social disorganization. Robertson never recognized that blacks suffered as they worked in whites’ farms (Blow, 2013). Blacks were subjected to sufferings such as violence which was displayed all over their faces. Blow says that Robert was an ignorant person who showed no concern about the welfare of blacks. African-Americans sang blues and jazz to express their sufferings in the hand of whites (Blow, 2013). The songs displayed the way blacks were subjected to slavery and oppression. Blacks had little social sophistication alongside survival skills that could allow them to confess their dissatisfaction before whites. This is something Robertson never acknowledged in the article.

Question 3

From the article, it is evident that denial of racism, as well as the role systematic racial discrimination plays in social institutions, leads to human suffering together with social disorganization in the present time. Firstly, racial discrimination in the justice system promotes unfairness in receiving justice (Blow, 2013). When racism is involved in court rulings, one side can be denied justice. When it comes to the economy, racial discrimination can facilitate unequal wealth or income distribution. For instance, in an economy composed of blacks and whites and whites discriminate against blacks, wealth can only be owned by whites, while blacks remain in poverty. Also, in public education, denial of racism together with racial discrimination, may result in one side lacking access to quality education (Blow, 2013). Today, in countries where blacks are discriminated by whites when it comes to accessing education, blacks are denied quality education. This is because they study in schools with poor infrastructure and inadequate facilities while whites study in schools which good infrastructure and facilities (Blow, 2013). This promotes human suffering among blacks.

Question 4

Functional structural is the best social perspective that best explains Blow’s discussion about the comments Robertson makes as well as race relations. Robertson describes the functionality of white farms as if it promotes social integration and stability (Blow, 2013). However, in reality, this is opposite. The reason behind this is that blacks working in whites’ cotton farms are treated like slaves. They are oppressed through violence. They are treated based on their race, which is quite unfair. This promotes social discrimination and instability on the side of blacks.

Question 5

Blow believes that the insensitive comments Robertson makes can be described from a social issue point of view. This is a widely shared perspective as a result of the historical background of Robertson (Blow, 2013). For instance, the historical Southern fiction that involved a contented slave together with a benevolent master demonstrated that both the oppressor and the oppressed had no issue with the oppression. This is something that existed in the history of Robertson’s community. Also, Blow describes a social issue of a Louisiana case involving Plessy and Ferguson (Blow, 2013). The ruling of the case supported racial segregation among states. This is a perfect example of a historic social issue that advocates for racial discrimination in all levels.

Question 6

There are several instances in this article whereby Blow contradicts Robertson’s comments making it hard to believe his position. Firstly, Blow considers Robertson’s interpersonal mistreatment of blacks irrelevant (Blow, 2013). This makes it difficult to understand Blow’s position on the issue of racial discrimination. This is because Robertson knows and has seen blacks being oppressed by whites, but failed to recognize this as an issue. Also, Blow ignores to focus on Robertson’s employment suspension after giving insensitive comments on racism (Blow, 2013). Blow should have condemned Robertson’s comments that encouraged racism rather than avoiding to talks about it. Ignoring this may make people think that he supports Robertson.

Question 7

The Southern Divide Chart presents data of life experiences of race among whites and blacks. Blow used the chart to show the extent to which blacks are subjected to racism (Blow, 2013). Blacks are the greatest victims when it comes to racism. To what extend are whites and blacks subjected to racism? Whites are less exposed to racial discrimination compared to blacks who face racism in their daily lives (Blow, 2013). Blacks encounter racial discrimination at the workplace, when receiving public services, and when engaging with police, unlike whites who face little or no racial discrimination.

Question 8

How often do whites encounter racial discrimination?

Question 9

Governments should implement laws that protect people from racism (Blow, 2013). Those who engage in racism practices should face serious consequences. Besides, learning institutions should include subjects related to racism in their curricular to create awareness of racism and eliminate racial differences between individuals from different races (Blow, 2013). This can greatly assist in eliminating racism.